Busy days over here! Met mums cleaner - quite a profitable job - £15 for 2 hours work? Have to also pay the gardener - he potters around weeding and planting oonce a month @ £25. Off to see mum - lucid today! Was so great to actually know she was on this planet - however - said definitely does not want to go into a home, it would finish her off - pointed out that staying at home falling over and blacking out would also finish her off! Anyway - will keep trying. Off to the grundys when Rosie had "plated" a meal for me and then Alan & Helen popped in to see me as well. Rosie & Andrew are in the process of adopting 2 little girls - come from a family of 6 from a single mother in the worst part of Manchester but both of them bright as a button 5 + 6 years old, very pretty with curly blonde hair but so lively! Thank goodness they have enough money to get help in so that they can have time to cope with this lot!
Back to Northwich and out to dinner with Bruce - youch - went for an Indian meal - £29! But he deserves it for all his help. Then a call from David who said he thinks Mum should go into a home - at least we are on the same page about that.
Got off to a good start on Monday morning - very helpful social worker - he will visit Mum with me tomorrow and get a list of places that are currently available so that will decrease the list and give me focue - must have en suite facilities too. Then to HSBC - will cost me £6 per month just to have an account so have decided to delay it until absolutely necessary - it is so that if mum runs out of money we can top up whatever costs are incurred - help!
Then back home at 11.30 to await my "telephonic appointment" with Dr Adams scheduled for 12. Huh! Phoned at 12.05 to find out what was happening - no - he had phoned at 11.15 and said I wasn't there and had now gone hime - can only get another "telephonic appointment" on Thursday. Not helpful att all! Also spoke to the lawyers, if Mum refuses to go into a home I can apply to the court in London to have her registered mentally incapable - everyone would be notified and can have input - really hope I don't have to go that route.
Off to Leighton to visit Mum - am making less mistakes on the way there nowadays! She seemed to be lucid again but then would refer to whether I had seen Dad. Very sad. The woman in the bed next to her is a real character - when the nurse asked whether the marks on her nightie were gravy or hot chocolate she tartly replied that they shoulsn't be either! When offered tea of coffee she replied that she would prefer champagne! Will have to see what I can arrange for Mums birthday on Thursday.
Don't hink I culd move back to the UK - the bureaucracy drives me crazy. I found out that there is a 7 day pass for parking that costs £10 and I had been paying £3 each day - so went to where I thought you had to go - wrong, then they said I had to get a form from the ward - so rather that climbing the stairs and traipsing all the way back to ward 14 (miles of corridors) I poppe din to ward 1 - no, they can't do it - has to be the ward where the patient is - why can't they look on their computers or phone reception to confirm! So all the way back to ward 14 and then down again - but will save me in the long run.
Found my way to Hartford to have dinner with Muriel and John - had never realised there was a difference between Shepherds pie and cottage pie - one is lamb abd one is beef. Anyway she "plated" me with enough cottage pie to feed 10 starving cambodians and it was so good I ate it all! Sio much for having been so good on wieght watchers! Then we walked along to a home to see whether it would be suitable - unfortunately the only en suite room was upstairs and they did not have the necessary nursing care needed but at least that is one that can be crossed off the list.
It is so nice that it stays late until about 9 - can get more done. Went home and was astonished to find that all the dead pot plants I had left on the steps had vanished - I stood and looked around and couldn't work it out until Dorothy popped her head out and said she had moved them - obvioulsy I am being a slob again! Started a jigsaw - need something to keep me sane with my relatives - David phoned to again tell me Mum must go into a home and now because it was worrying him..... yeah yeah yeah and in the same breath that he wanted the coffee table. I can see this is going to be a daily occurence and hate to think what he'll say when I take him to see Mum on her birthday. Then cousin Marilyn phoned - to ask whether I'd got everything sorted out yet - and this for the person who needs a weeks holiday after a trip to the shops - it is so tiring!
Tuesday - up early and off down the canal to Marbury forest to see the carpets of bluebells - lovely. On the way there I met a lamb - it was on the left bank and all the other sheep were on the right bank - so it jumped in and swam across but then couldn't get out so it swam back and allowed me to grab it by the front legs and haul it out. Larry the lamb no 128! As he got out he wriggeled and jerked away and then I could not catch him again - otherwise I would have carried him to the bridge and then back along the other side, even though there is not a towpath there - but he kept leaping away and I could not get him, I asked a barge to stop and help me and then if we could cathc him they culd drop him off on the other side but theye just wished me luck and carried on. Poor Larry, just couldn't grab him - so I left him and walked on. Asked any people that I met if they knew the sheep farmer but they didn't (so limited in their lives!). On the way back he had disappeared so he must have either made it back somehow, or gone for a walk in the woods or was at the bottom of the canal - hope he made it!
Off now to pop in to see David and maybe take him out for tea - hope the carer doesn't come - its very inhibiting having this brooding Bulgarian presence - plus - do I have to pay for his tea too?
Monday, April 28, 2008
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Back in the Northwich library!
Well here I am back in the Northwich Library after a hectic day of travelling. On Tuesday I received a phone call to say my mum had come out of hospital then another one later to say she had gone back in - could I come - so booked and off I went!
Thursday at 2.30 - Emirates flight to Dubai - arrived there 9.30 SA time (12.30 Dubai time) sat next to a very nice young couple (musicians) who were relocating to the Uk to try things out there. I had an aisle seat and to the left of me were some black men - obvioulsy very into SADC stuff. Spoke extremely loudly all the time - most upset when the bar closed and insisted on telling me that they fly at least 10 times a year, had paid to be business class but stuck in economy and if they had been put into Business class they could have drunk all night long. Made suitable ums and ah sounds. As we landed - the one nearest to me vomited all over himself, the cushions, the floor - UGH!!! They did not protray the image of black businessmen very well.
Dubai airport interesteting - kind of olympic flame things along the side, large concrete date palms and gold light fittings but once you've walked the length of it there's not much to do - and the shops are expensive!!! And Eastern loos are the most unhygenic things I can imagine! Yuck - always walking in what one hopes is water on the floor...
Left Dubai at 2.45 in the morning arrived at gatwick at 7.20. met another nice person - an artist who was on the way to Dublin to see whether she coudl reloacte there - will keep in touch with her when we both get back.
Collected bag to discover that the weheels had vanished in transit - just as well it wasn't heavy! Tried to get a flight to Manchester but because I was at Gatwick and not Heathrow only BA flies from there and they were fully booked until 6 that evening - so popped over to the car hire place and shopped around and got a really nice automatic Astra so off I went. Took me 4 hours to get to Cheshire - kept wondering what the speed limit was as I zoomed along - didn't see any signs anywhere! Waved a mental hello to Morse as I passed the Oxford off-ramp. Discovered it was 70 and my average was 100 - whoops! All the trees are getting those lovely lime green light new leaves and there are daffodils everywhere! Passed a field of 6 piebald shire horses - wuld make a lovey dary team. Stopped twice on the way -coffee and sushi!
Went straight to the hospital to visit mum. She was suprised to see me but a bit confused - the main problem is that she had her leg adjusted at Manchester hospital last week and they made it so tight that it has caused great sores - so she doesn't want to put it on properly so then she falls. She is very thin and her leg is covered in sores and her arms are all blue. Kept asking me to look for her handbag which she insisted she had had with her. Backchatted the nurses who took her to task.
So left her at 3'ish and went home - pounced upon by Sheila and Dorothy who told me their woes of having to sit with her until 2 in the morning until the ambulance came, the state of the bathroom etc. Seems they expect me to pack up the house, get her into a home and sell the house all in one week. Yikes!
Finally got over to the house and had a glass of wine some cumberland pie and long bubble bath. Nearly gassed myself to death by trying to get the heater on in the lounge which did not ignite but kept gassing - so opened windows and lived with it until I sorted it out in the morning. Phoned several people and set up my social calendar for the weekend!
Sat - trying day at the banks. Barclays do not have the forms for international accounts and HSBC had the most chaotic queing system I've ever seen - talkin about SA being 3rd world - in terms of banking we are streets ahead! Need proff of residence - why or why did I thow the latest rates account into the bin! Can't image why all English people aren't rolly pollies - lovely smells waft out as you walk along - howvere am trying to be good, the "muffin tops" over the top of my jeans is trying to keep me on track!
Anyway, am off now to look at an old age home and then pick up david to take him to see my mum - hope its not too fraught an encounter! Bye for now.
Phoned around, will take David to see her this (Sat)
Thursday at 2.30 - Emirates flight to Dubai - arrived there 9.30 SA time (12.30 Dubai time) sat next to a very nice young couple (musicians) who were relocating to the Uk to try things out there. I had an aisle seat and to the left of me were some black men - obvioulsy very into SADC stuff. Spoke extremely loudly all the time - most upset when the bar closed and insisted on telling me that they fly at least 10 times a year, had paid to be business class but stuck in economy and if they had been put into Business class they could have drunk all night long. Made suitable ums and ah sounds. As we landed - the one nearest to me vomited all over himself, the cushions, the floor - UGH!!! They did not protray the image of black businessmen very well.
Dubai airport interesteting - kind of olympic flame things along the side, large concrete date palms and gold light fittings but once you've walked the length of it there's not much to do - and the shops are expensive!!! And Eastern loos are the most unhygenic things I can imagine! Yuck - always walking in what one hopes is water on the floor...
Left Dubai at 2.45 in the morning arrived at gatwick at 7.20. met another nice person - an artist who was on the way to Dublin to see whether she coudl reloacte there - will keep in touch with her when we both get back.
Collected bag to discover that the weheels had vanished in transit - just as well it wasn't heavy! Tried to get a flight to Manchester but because I was at Gatwick and not Heathrow only BA flies from there and they were fully booked until 6 that evening - so popped over to the car hire place and shopped around and got a really nice automatic Astra so off I went. Took me 4 hours to get to Cheshire - kept wondering what the speed limit was as I zoomed along - didn't see any signs anywhere! Waved a mental hello to Morse as I passed the Oxford off-ramp. Discovered it was 70 and my average was 100 - whoops! All the trees are getting those lovely lime green light new leaves and there are daffodils everywhere! Passed a field of 6 piebald shire horses - wuld make a lovey dary team. Stopped twice on the way -coffee and sushi!
Went straight to the hospital to visit mum. She was suprised to see me but a bit confused - the main problem is that she had her leg adjusted at Manchester hospital last week and they made it so tight that it has caused great sores - so she doesn't want to put it on properly so then she falls. She is very thin and her leg is covered in sores and her arms are all blue. Kept asking me to look for her handbag which she insisted she had had with her. Backchatted the nurses who took her to task.
So left her at 3'ish and went home - pounced upon by Sheila and Dorothy who told me their woes of having to sit with her until 2 in the morning until the ambulance came, the state of the bathroom etc. Seems they expect me to pack up the house, get her into a home and sell the house all in one week. Yikes!
Finally got over to the house and had a glass of wine some cumberland pie and long bubble bath. Nearly gassed myself to death by trying to get the heater on in the lounge which did not ignite but kept gassing - so opened windows and lived with it until I sorted it out in the morning. Phoned several people and set up my social calendar for the weekend!
Sat - trying day at the banks. Barclays do not have the forms for international accounts and HSBC had the most chaotic queing system I've ever seen - talkin about SA being 3rd world - in terms of banking we are streets ahead! Need proff of residence - why or why did I thow the latest rates account into the bin! Can't image why all English people aren't rolly pollies - lovely smells waft out as you walk along - howvere am trying to be good, the "muffin tops" over the top of my jeans is trying to keep me on track!
Anyway, am off now to look at an old age home and then pick up david to take him to see my mum - hope its not too fraught an encounter! Bye for now.
Phoned around, will take David to see her this (Sat)
Monday, April 14, 2008
OW! OW! OW!
Well, a very dramatic end to a busy weekend.
Saturday was very pleasant with a geological birthday party - lovely lunch and nice to see Judith and Paul again. Sunday started off very peacefully - washed Womble, got everything organised, Sarah & I were going to the Autumn Gold Cup show - she was to do the private drive and single harness and I was to do the utility course and obstacles. So civilised only having to leave home at 9 - 9.30!
Off we went and arrived with plenty of time - estimating we would be home again at about 3. We helped lay the course - lovely area for the private drives but a smallish area with steep banks that one could plummet off if you didn't stop in time for the cones -eeek! Just as well I moved his reins down a notch on the bit!
Sarah came third in the single harness - Wunderkinds first show! Well done! We didn't watch the private drive as we were warming up Womble and then it was time for the cones. First round clear and then the run-off judged by speed. We were the last to go and off we went - Sam as groom and we zoomed around! Yes! As we crossed the finish line we turned right so that we wouldn't be going helter-skelter for the bank and over we went, carriage and all! One never knows what happens, one minute you are having a great time and the next you are skidding along on the floor feeling very OW!
Got Womble out of part of his harness and then he insisted on getting up and broke the rest, but he was OK - then over to Sam who was being helped by Johan and Sarah - called for a paramedic, she had broken her wrist. Found my glasses which were a bit skew-wiff and watited for the paramedic to bind her up.
Off to casualty at Sunninghill - dreadful place - 3 hours wait in which they did 1 x-ray. They called the orthopaedic surgeon who was on his way as it was not a clean break - and we sat and we sat and we sat. Finally the surgeon burst in asking where was his patient! The theatre had been prepped the ward ready - all waiting for us - while we waited for them! They really did neglect us shamefully - and no pain relief for Sam for the whole time.
Once we got to the ward everything was far more organised - off we went to theatre with me all gowned up (would have fit a giant - trailed on the floor) and hatted and shod in blue so that I could hold Sams hand while they put in the drip to anaesthetise her.
Off she went to sleep - she was so very very brave the whole time and never complained even about the waiting except that she was so thirsty and hungry but was not allowed to eat in case they needed to operate. They started to open her moutht o put in tubes etc and I said - do I still have to be here - can I go now, I don't really want to watch the whole thing! The surgeon and the anaesthetist were really great people - friendly, telling me what was going on etc. (Johan had gone to pick up Michael and take him home) AND - as a special event, Gareth, the really really good looking Doctor who was in Survivor SA was there too - touched Sam on the hand (swoon in my blue monstrosities!) and told her not to worry! He is even more good looking in real life than on the screen although this link to his webpage makes him look all big chin and vaguely wet which he doesn't look like in real life.
So off I went then to sit outside the theatre - and worry about death under anaesthetic etc but it was very quick and then she came back with a big cast - right up to her shoulder. Back to the ward to wake up properly.
In the bed next to her was this tiny black baby that needed an oxygen mask and had a lot of trouble breathing. I asked his parent what was the matter with him. They were americans and had only just "got him" and 2 weeks ago they had switched off his life support system and thought he was going to die. He was 2 years old (but was the size of a very skinny 3 month old) and had 2 holes in his heart. Going to have a big heart op the next day. While Sam was still sleeping he held my finger and smiled and gurgled as best he could through his various drips and tubes - hope he makes it - such bright eyes and a very strong grip - when I take Sam back for her checkup on Thurday I'll see if we can pop in to see him - baby Malgas.
So as soon as we could we were out of there (8 hours!) and stopped to get Sam a McDonalds ice cream for being so good!
What a relief to get home - and then I could peel off my pants to reveal my bruises - owweee! Think I should get a Guiness world record for the largest bruise! Think of a very large oval serving platter and you've got the size about right - and that's just one leg!
Oh yes - most important - we won the cones by over 4 seconds!
Saturday was very pleasant with a geological birthday party - lovely lunch and nice to see Judith and Paul again. Sunday started off very peacefully - washed Womble, got everything organised, Sarah & I were going to the Autumn Gold Cup show - she was to do the private drive and single harness and I was to do the utility course and obstacles. So civilised only having to leave home at 9 - 9.30!
Off we went and arrived with plenty of time - estimating we would be home again at about 3. We helped lay the course - lovely area for the private drives but a smallish area with steep banks that one could plummet off if you didn't stop in time for the cones -eeek! Just as well I moved his reins down a notch on the bit!
Sarah came third in the single harness - Wunderkinds first show! Well done! We didn't watch the private drive as we were warming up Womble and then it was time for the cones. First round clear and then the run-off judged by speed. We were the last to go and off we went - Sam as groom and we zoomed around! Yes! As we crossed the finish line we turned right so that we wouldn't be going helter-skelter for the bank and over we went, carriage and all! One never knows what happens, one minute you are having a great time and the next you are skidding along on the floor feeling very OW!
Got Womble out of part of his harness and then he insisted on getting up and broke the rest, but he was OK - then over to Sam who was being helped by Johan and Sarah - called for a paramedic, she had broken her wrist. Found my glasses which were a bit skew-wiff and watited for the paramedic to bind her up.
Off to casualty at Sunninghill - dreadful place - 3 hours wait in which they did 1 x-ray. They called the orthopaedic surgeon who was on his way as it was not a clean break - and we sat and we sat and we sat. Finally the surgeon burst in asking where was his patient! The theatre had been prepped the ward ready - all waiting for us - while we waited for them! They really did neglect us shamefully - and no pain relief for Sam for the whole time.
Once we got to the ward everything was far more organised - off we went to theatre with me all gowned up (would have fit a giant - trailed on the floor) and hatted and shod in blue so that I could hold Sams hand while they put in the drip to anaesthetise her.
Off she went to sleep - she was so very very brave the whole time and never complained even about the waiting except that she was so thirsty and hungry but was not allowed to eat in case they needed to operate. They started to open her moutht o put in tubes etc and I said - do I still have to be here - can I go now, I don't really want to watch the whole thing! The surgeon and the anaesthetist were really great people - friendly, telling me what was going on etc. (Johan had gone to pick up Michael and take him home) AND - as a special event, Gareth, the really really good looking Doctor who was in Survivor SA was there too - touched Sam on the hand (swoon in my blue monstrosities!) and told her not to worry! He is even more good looking in real life than on the screen although this link to his webpage makes him look all big chin and vaguely wet which he doesn't look like in real life.
So off I went then to sit outside the theatre - and worry about death under anaesthetic etc but it was very quick and then she came back with a big cast - right up to her shoulder. Back to the ward to wake up properly.
In the bed next to her was this tiny black baby that needed an oxygen mask and had a lot of trouble breathing. I asked his parent what was the matter with him. They were americans and had only just "got him" and 2 weeks ago they had switched off his life support system and thought he was going to die. He was 2 years old (but was the size of a very skinny 3 month old) and had 2 holes in his heart. Going to have a big heart op the next day. While Sam was still sleeping he held my finger and smiled and gurgled as best he could through his various drips and tubes - hope he makes it - such bright eyes and a very strong grip - when I take Sam back for her checkup on Thurday I'll see if we can pop in to see him - baby Malgas.
So as soon as we could we were out of there (8 hours!) and stopped to get Sam a McDonalds ice cream for being so good!
What a relief to get home - and then I could peel off my pants to reveal my bruises - owweee! Think I should get a Guiness world record for the largest bruise! Think of a very large oval serving platter and you've got the size about right - and that's just one leg!
Oh yes - most important - we won the cones by over 4 seconds!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Neighbours are the bane of ones existence
Oh dear, our new neighbours sound the pits! We used to get on with the old ones and grazed our horses there until Brian left the hose running into the water trough which empitied their water tank =no water in the house and they took umbrage - locked the gate so that we could not graze there anymore. Alo, they would not allow us to put up a proper fence around their house so of course Megan walked into their house and the bedrooms, and Womble ate all the bird seed... but they wouldn't let us stop them properly. Anyway, it obviously caused a problem - not by any intention of ours and after that they did not talk to us - which was a bit uncomfortable but otherwise they were OK neighbours - very quiet.
Now they have sold and the rumours are not good.
Plot 1 reported:
"We met the new buyer of plot 2. Lets just say he is definitely not quite the country life person. Very city slicker, very loud, very in your face type of person. He has a little too much to say about things like our african people, religion etc. He says he will be getting a ex-constable who hates african people to stay on the plot who will patrol the area with a shot gun. He also wants to run his business from plot 2 and says he will only be around on weekends, he says he will come in - make a noise and then leave.
Im personally not too sure what all that means."
eeeek.... what noise? What if the ex-constable gets trigger happy? and then.....
"They stay in Meyersdal in Alberton. His is a Christian like me and Clay. But he is very blatant about it (Sort of over-religious) if you know what I mean. If he see's you not a Christian, even if he doesnt know you at all, he'll start preaching to you straight away and will try to forcefully convert you on the spot. But in the same breath he'll tell you how it hates K...ff (Africans). A bit strange ??
He has a daughter (+-14) & I think a older son (+-17/18). I didn't meet the wife as she wasn't with them on Saturday."
Hmmmm... so phoned the estate ageent to find out what kind of business they were planning to run from next door = paint mixing. = Fumes? Waste? Workers in and out? Oh dear......
Now they have sold and the rumours are not good.
Plot 1 reported:
"We met the new buyer of plot 2. Lets just say he is definitely not quite the country life person. Very city slicker, very loud, very in your face type of person. He has a little too much to say about things like our african people, religion etc. He says he will be getting a ex-constable who hates african people to stay on the plot who will patrol the area with a shot gun. He also wants to run his business from plot 2 and says he will only be around on weekends, he says he will come in - make a noise and then leave.
Im personally not too sure what all that means."
eeeek.... what noise? What if the ex-constable gets trigger happy? and then.....
"They stay in Meyersdal in Alberton. His is a Christian like me and Clay. But he is very blatant about it (Sort of over-religious) if you know what I mean. If he see's you not a Christian, even if he doesnt know you at all, he'll start preaching to you straight away and will try to forcefully convert you on the spot. But in the same breath he'll tell you how it hates K...ff (Africans). A bit strange ??
He has a daughter (+-14) & I think a older son (+-17/18). I didn't meet the wife as she wasn't with them on Saturday."
Hmmmm... so phoned the estate ageent to find out what kind of business they were planning to run from next door = paint mixing. = Fumes? Waste? Workers in and out? Oh dear......
Gosh! Bikes are expensive!
Hi Guys
Trying to write this blog but computer won’t let me login – very frustrating. So typing into word and will upload asap.!
An upsy downsy week again – seems to be the same for all my friends – guess it is called Life! Had some feedback from my friend Caroline who said she enjoys reading my blog! Yeah! Now post a comment please! Must just make sure it doesn’t get too gloomy with all the dying and illness that seems to be around at the moment. Come on everybody – more feedback please – why don’t you contribute to it as well?
My mom came out of hospital last week after having been in there for almost 3 weeks. The social workers had spoken to her but she is still determined to stay home. So be it. However, 2 days after she came out I got a call from her accountant, who had had a call from her neighbour.. (the English grapevine is very effective) to say that the carer and the Dr were there and now would be a good time for me to phone to find out what is going on! So I did – she had gone all hypo so they were bringing her round – no hospital required. So, we go from day to day hoping she keeps OK. She sounds pretty chipper on the phone, just complains that every time she turns around there is somebody there to give her a tablet – thank goodness for the British Social service!
Am getting excited about the trip now – have booked a B+B in Cumbria for 2 nights so that we can attend a “Woolfest” ( http://www.woolfest.co.uk/ ) (and we plan to take my mom to James Herriots home in Thirsk – its only a couple of hours away so hopefully she can do that trip, will have to wait and see.
Poor Sarah & Charlie are still being dragged through the emotional turmoil of selling their house – their house was sold 2 months ago and they have struggled to find somewhere suitable – finally their offer was accepted on a place they like last Thursday and NOW the buyer of their house has had his bond withdrawn! So now what??? Jeepers – whatever could go wrong has gone wrong for them, selling a house can be a quick way to have a nervous breakdown!
We went shopping to replace the stolen camping equipment and the kids bikes – wow bikes are expensive! My old bike in Grahamstown cost me R40 – can’t get anything under R700 nowadays! Chatted about it to a friend – she said they weren’t buying bikes for their kids, too expensive, they can walk – seems mean – there’s a lot of fun riding a bike – Sam rides round and round the garden and they use them to visit friends down the road – it’s not always just about utility, there’s the fun and freedom aspect too.
Johan arrived back from Upington on Friday with some exciting news – the company for which he does a lot of work have offered him a partnership – this has quite a few advantages, there would be people to take care of the admin (he never has time for it) and he could use the services of junior geologists for some things. He would also get an office – which means all the files currently in the caravan could be moved out again – and the piles of rocks all over the place. At first he would be in charge of the Upington project – it would just mean that he has some backup as well. So, he needs to decide. Will have to wait and see!
Trying to write this blog but computer won’t let me login – very frustrating. So typing into word and will upload asap.!
An upsy downsy week again – seems to be the same for all my friends – guess it is called Life! Had some feedback from my friend Caroline who said she enjoys reading my blog! Yeah! Now post a comment please! Must just make sure it doesn’t get too gloomy with all the dying and illness that seems to be around at the moment. Come on everybody – more feedback please – why don’t you contribute to it as well?
My mom came out of hospital last week after having been in there for almost 3 weeks. The social workers had spoken to her but she is still determined to stay home. So be it. However, 2 days after she came out I got a call from her accountant, who had had a call from her neighbour.. (the English grapevine is very effective) to say that the carer and the Dr were there and now would be a good time for me to phone to find out what is going on! So I did – she had gone all hypo so they were bringing her round – no hospital required. So, we go from day to day hoping she keeps OK. She sounds pretty chipper on the phone, just complains that every time she turns around there is somebody there to give her a tablet – thank goodness for the British Social service!
Am getting excited about the trip now – have booked a B+B in Cumbria for 2 nights so that we can attend a “Woolfest” ( http://www.woolfest.co.uk/ ) (and we plan to take my mom to James Herriots home in Thirsk – its only a couple of hours away so hopefully she can do that trip, will have to wait and see.
Poor Sarah & Charlie are still being dragged through the emotional turmoil of selling their house – their house was sold 2 months ago and they have struggled to find somewhere suitable – finally their offer was accepted on a place they like last Thursday and NOW the buyer of their house has had his bond withdrawn! So now what??? Jeepers – whatever could go wrong has gone wrong for them, selling a house can be a quick way to have a nervous breakdown!
We went shopping to replace the stolen camping equipment and the kids bikes – wow bikes are expensive! My old bike in Grahamstown cost me R40 – can’t get anything under R700 nowadays! Chatted about it to a friend – she said they weren’t buying bikes for their kids, too expensive, they can walk – seems mean – there’s a lot of fun riding a bike – Sam rides round and round the garden and they use them to visit friends down the road – it’s not always just about utility, there’s the fun and freedom aspect too.
Johan arrived back from Upington on Friday with some exciting news – the company for which he does a lot of work have offered him a partnership – this has quite a few advantages, there would be people to take care of the admin (he never has time for it) and he could use the services of junior geologists for some things. He would also get an office – which means all the files currently in the caravan could be moved out again – and the piles of rocks all over the place. At first he would be in charge of the Upington project – it would just mean that he has some backup as well. So, he needs to decide. Will have to wait and see!
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