Latest from a Far from Well Family

The weather after the snowfall was really miserable for the rest of the week. Conditions were icy and very windy making it extremely unpleasant to be outside with all the dust and pollen. By the following Monday conditions were slightly improved with the temperature getting up to 23. When Diane and I fetched the boys from school Travis was not well and had a temperature. Tuesday was really miserable and overcast again and we kept the boys at home as they both had upset stomachs and Travis was also coughing badly. We took them to the Dr. who gave medicine for the stomachs and for Travis whose asthma was bad again. The rest of the day was spent keeping them amused and dosing them up. Wednesday they were home again and Diane and I were kept very busy looking after them – dirty nappy after dirty nappy is not a pleasant task at all. Diane spent ages cutting out and sticking pictures with Travis while I was busy with Josh. Wednesday night Ali was very ill and Hubby took her to the hospital where she was admitted. Medication she had been given shouldn’t have been given and had destroyed her appetite. When admitted she was anorexic and her liver and kidneys were on the point of packing up. Thursday the boys were well enough to go back to school and Diane and I tried to clear all that had been left since Monday. By now Ali couldn’t keep any food down and had been put on a drip. After collecting the boys I fed them and bathed them ready for bed. Josh went down and Travis stayed with Hubby while Diane and I went through to visit Ali who was very ill still. When we got back we were exhausted and were soon in bed. Friday Ali was still not able to keep food down and she was given a sonar scan. The results they gave on Saturday were that she had a bowel infection which they were now treating. The Dr had seen something he was not happy with though and said she would have a scope on the Sunday. After Hubby got back from the hospital we all went to a Fun Day at Malonjeni - a guest farm not too far from us. There was a display by the fire department which Travis thoroughly enjoyed. After having some lunch Josh was not feeling too well with a runny nose so we left for home.

Hubby went back to the hospital while we stayed with the boys. Sunday Josh had a temperature and was very miserable. Hubby went through to be with Ali for her scope. She was kept waiting until early afternoon before being told it would only happen on Monday. Hubby came home and went back later with Travis as Ali was missing the boys. Josh was too sick to go. We had another early night after exhausting ourselves with sick boys. Luckily by Monday Josh was a lot better though he still had a runny nose and both their stomachs were finally back to normal. Thank goodness Travis is past the nappy stage. Monday Hubby went in early to be with Ali before she had her scope. Eventually at three in the afternoon - after no food or drink for the entire time – she was taken through. When she came out Hubby was informed that her appendix had been removed as they had been on the point of bursting and they had taken a sample for a biopsy. Poor Ali! The first thing that happened when she came round was she started vomiting again and she had been so looking forward to having a cheddermelt steak. Diane and I went through to see her that night after putting Josh to bed and leaving Travis with Hubby. The poor girl was still vomiting and unable to eat. She really looked terrible. Diane and I spent time with her before leaving and stopping at Spur for a snack and coffee. We were home just before nine where I was horrified to find Travis still awake. After bathing I took him to bed where he soon fell asleep. On Tuesday Alison was finally diagnosed with Crohns Disease and given a special diet to follow. Diane and I finished statements on Tuesday and Wednesday went in to Alberton where we visited Ali again. She was still on a drip but looking a lot better now that she was eating again. The weather luckily was warming up again. The winter bedding was off and the summer back on. Thursday was Spring Day at the nursery school and we were able to dress the boys up in bright shirts and shorts. Ali came home lunch time and insisted on going shopping to get a present ready for Travis’s birthday. She overdid things and fell quite ill by the time we got home after collecting the boys who were absolutely thrilled to see her. By now I was starting to feel clogged up – little ones don’t know not to cough in your face when you are dealing with them. Ali was not able to pick the boys up so I was still doing most things for them though she did feed Josh. Friday Travis was up very early in anticipation of his birthday and thrilled with his presents. We went through to the school with cake and sweets for his class about nine. Saturday I woke up with my face swollen and a tight chest and spent most of the day coughing. Luckily friends of Ali came to visit and helped her with the boys as I didn’t want to infect them. Saturday night was terrible as every time I moved in bed I had a coughing fit. Sunday I woke up with my face very swollen right down into my neck. I stayed in bed trying to feel better and dosed myself up. Diane was also feeling quite ill with sinus. Hubby helped look after the boys for the day. Sunday night was another night spent trying not to move and bring on a coughing fit. Monday Diane and I took Ali to Alberton with Josh who was having an impression of his feet done to bronze. We stayed with Josh while Hubby took Ali to get her staples out. Once we were finished we stopped at the chemist to get medicine for Diane and I before returning home. The rest of the week was spent dosing up – which didn’t help – and helping Ali with the boys. Both of us were too sick to do anything. I have never had sinus this bad and never for so long. On Thursday Diane and I went to a Bodytalk Practitioner who gave us herbal medication after treating us. It is only today - Sunday - that I am finally starting to feel better. The sharp pain of infection in my head is finally gone and I have At Last stopped coughing so much. Diane is also felling a lot better.
Well that is all from the Poor Sick Family. Now that we are feeling more normal and the weather is so good we can get back to our usual daily lives.

Update on Life

The rest of the week was spent chilling and chatting under the trees with Mike and Sandy. Saturday Hubby took them to a Car Meet which they thoroughly enjoyed while I quickly did some cleaning and got the place ship-shape again. Sunday Ali bought the boys over for Mike and Sandy to see as they were last here before Travis was born and we had another chill day under the trees. Josh was coughing badly and not at all well so we decided to keep him here and take him to the Dr on Monday morning. I had him with me for the night in the spare room and it was not a good night at all. He was miserable and kept waking up and each time it took a while to settle him again. Luckily I got an appointment for him mid-morning and was given an anti-biotic among other medicine. The rest of the day was spent with Sandy and I taking turns with him. Ali phoned in the evening to say Travis was also sick now and asked me to try getting him an appointment with the Dr for Tuesday. The medicine had not had time to take effect so Josh and I had another bad night with very little sleep. Tuesday I managed to get an appointment for Travis and Ali bought him through. Josh was asleep so I left him with Sandy while I went to meet Ali at the Dr. Once we had finished there we returned to the plot for Ali to say Hi and Bye to Josh and everyone before returning to work. As both boys were too sick for nursery school I kept them on the plot. Sandy made a delicious casserole for supper so that I could see to the boys with feeding and bath time etc. They were both asleep when Diane and Hubby returned just after six and we sat chatting and enjoying our food. No sooner had I started clearing the kitchen when Josh woke up. We all took turns amusing him until he fell asleep again about half nine. Travis was coughing badly so we put Josh in Diane’s bed as we didn’t want them to disturb each other especially as Josh was improving. It was another bad night for me as Travis coughed most of the night and kept waking himself up with it. Several times I rubbed more breathe oil on his chest and back and eventually resorted to giving him honey which helped for a short while. We were up just before six and found Diane and Josh sitting in front of the TV. Josh had woken briefly a couple of times in the night and was up at five ready for his day. We all had breakfast and then Hubby and Diane left followed shortly by Sandy and Mike who were continuing their holiday and going up to the Kruger and surrounding area for a few days. Josh was tired and fell asleep for a couple of hours about half nine. Travis was also tired but determined to stay awake. I quickly cleaned the kitchen while he played just outside the back door with his cars. Once Josh woke we had lunch after which Travis fell asleep. Josh and I chilled under the trees until Travis woke an hour later very miserable as he was still so tired. I managed to rock him to sleep again sitting on the swing bench and put him back to bed. Josh had his supper and a play by which time Travis woke Very Miserable and still Very Tired. I couldn’t do anything with him as he was so miserable and just lay crying. Luckily Hubby and Diane returned and she took Josh while I calmed Travis and bathed him after which he had some supper and his medicine. I put him on the couch with a pillow to watch TV and within minutes he was asleep again. We quickly had some supper and kept Josh awake until half seven so that he would sleep through. By now I felt like a zombie from lack of sleep and we were all in bed soon after nine. Before putting off the light I rubbed Travis’s chest and back and gave him some honey. It worked for a while as he only woke me up around two and after doing all again we slept until six. Diane and Josh had been up since five again. Both Travis and I felt a lot more normal after having a decent sleep. Hubby and Diane left after breakfast and I started my day with the boys. Josh had a good sleep again mid-morning and after an early lunch we left for Alberton as I was running short of supplies. Travis slept in the car until the workshop where we picked Diane up to help me with the boys while we shopped. We were home late afternoon and after feeding the boys and bathing them we put Travis in front of the TV with his pillow again. Luckily it worked again and he was asleep within minutes. After having our supper and keeping Josh amused until seven when he fell asleep with his bottle we spent the rest of the evening on the computer. Both Diane and I had a fairly good night with not too many interruptions though I still needed to keep rubbing Travis’s chest and give him honey to soothe his cough. At least his cough wasn’t bad enough to wake him up. Friday was Diane’s 21st but unfortunately we were not able to do anything as the weather was so miserable and cold and we didn’t want to take the boys out and start them off again with their coughing. Plans to go to the circus farm had to be shelved and by evening we were too tired to care about going out. Saturday when Travis and I got up we found Diane and Josh in front of the TV again. Diane was in quite a state as Josh had been awake since two in the morning wanting to play. I took Josh and told her to have a couple of hours sleep. The weather was miserable and cold with drizzle so we stayed inside again. Josh was asleep not long after breakfast and after dressing Travis up warmly Hubby took him out to play so that I could get their things ready and bags packed to go home. Travis fell asleep until it was time to leave just after eleven. Diane and I were really exhausted after our hectic week of looking after sick boys and were happy to hand them over to Alison who at least had had time to catch up on her sleep and be ready to carry on looking after them now that they were getting better.
After leaving the boys with Alison we left for Lifestyle where Diane and I went to Piatto for a light lunch. I had chicken livers and Diane had a pasta dish. As usual the food was excellent and it was a pleasure not to have to worry about the boys though I was already missing them but with the miserable weather it wasn’t worth taking them out with us. After eating we wandered around Lifestyle where the annual garden display was up. The exhibits were stunning as usual and gave great ideas for the garden. Just before three we made our way to the Lifestyle restaurant to secure a table ready for afternoon tea with Pauline, Val and all. The place was quite busy but we managed to get a table for seven and were joined shortly after by Pauline. We ordered coffee and tea and Diane and I opened presents. I had a lovely necklace and Diane had champagne and glasses. Not long after Val, Kelly, Michelle and Aeron joined us and after opening more presents – Diane had a lovely jewellery box (which matched the purse Ali had given her) with earrings in – we ordered more coffee and cake. Pauline also ordered champagne to toast Diane. When the champagne was poured we sang Happy Birthday to Diane and proceeded to enjoy it as well as the cake and coffee. We had a really great time laughing and enjoying ourselves together. Once the cake was over one of the waiters came over and asked about Diane’s birthday and presents. When he found out it was her 21st he said he was going to organise something. A large group of them came a little later and after making Diane stand on her chair they all sang Happy Birthday to her. Not long after our party broke up and we all headed home where we chilled at home for the evening.
Sunday we were up early to go to a Piston Ring Meet using the Plymouth. As soon as we parked Diane and I headed for the coffee stand we got coffee and then pies which we ate sitting on the stand in the clubhouse area. We spent the morning wandering around looking at the cars on display and taking pics. At twelve we left to meet Dean and his wife for lunch at Europa in Melrose Arch. After parking we made our way, with Brian, to the restaurant where we were joined by Dean and Anne. We ordered lunch- steak for Hubby, a fish basket for me and pasta for Diane – and sat chatting while waiting for it. Not one of us was impressed with our food. Hubby just had a piece of steak with some chips in a little bowl – it wouldn’t have looked too bad on a smaller plate. In my basket was just one piece of each type of fish and some chips – at least the Irish Harp gives about five pieces of each – and Diane didn’t enjoy her pasta at all. Most disappointing and we will never waste our time going there again. At least the drinks were OK with Diane having a strawberry daiquiri and me a glass of wine. The rest of the day was relaxing and having a nap to catch up on much-needed sleep.

Day of spoiling

Thursday morning was a good start with Diane up to wish me Happy Birthday and make me my second cup of coffee after which Hubby made the breakfast. Once Hubby had left for the workshop Diane and I did some work on the computer before getting ready to go in to Alberton. We picked Hubby up and then went to the Piatto for lunch. We sat outside in the sun and ordered Shandies with Hubby’s favourite cherries. Lunch was really good with Diane having vegetarian pasta, Hubby a combo of chicken and steak and me having steak on polenta. When the food arrived it looked so good we decided we had to have a glass of wine to do it justice. We had a most enjoyable chill time together enjoying good food, wine and of course good company. After lunch Hubby decided to go back to the workshop while Diane and I went to Eastgate to watch a movie. We booked for The Tourist and as we had some time before it started went to do some shopping. The Tourist was an excellent movie and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. It was just after five when we came out and we decided to do some more shopping to avoid the five o’clock traffic. First stop was the Bread Basket where we bought our favourite filled rolls for supper and a loaf of Hubby’s favourite bread – sourdough. By the time we had finished wandering round the shops it was after six and luckily by then the highway was fairly clear so we made good time getting home. Hubby was thrilled with his supper and loaf of bread and we all made short work of the rolls. The rest of the evening was spent on the computer with Diane doing some more freelance work. All in all it was a great birthday with plenty of good wishes received throughout the day from family and friends. The best part was Diane doing everything for me as the tradition is ‘your birthday – no work.’
Friday was spent cleaning everywhere ready for the weekend while Diane finished her freelance work. Hubby was home fairly early with all sorts of goodies ready for our day out on Saturday. We had our usual chill glass of wine before spending the evening between the computer and the TV. We were in bed fairly early as we needed to be up early on Saturday.

Short Week

It was still wet and chilly when the alarm went off on Tuesday morning so, unfortunately, no chill with my cuppa outside. Life was back to normal and after Hubby went off to work it was the usual routine of computer work with a stop to go into Meyerton for grocery buying as stocks were low after the weekend. Late afternoon the clouds built up again and we had a fine drizzle which prevented us going for our ride. Wednesday was the same weather and routine wise except that in the afternoon we went into Alberton to take the Sars returns in before going on to Eastgate to fetch my phone. The lady said the problem had been the software which had been reloaded onto the phone. It was after four when we left Eastgate so we went the back way to avoid the highway afternoon traffic jam. No sooner had we left then it started raining and it rained until just before getting home. With the colder evenings I have been having a bath instead of the usual shower. The first time I bathed I was leaning forward to rinse my face when I saw a dead spider floating in the water which I fished out and left by the taps. I leant forward to carry on when to my horror I saw a spider swimming in front of me. I whipped my shower cap off thinking they must have come off there and fished it out, opened the window and shook it out there. It landed on the window sill and started running towards me. Quickly I blew on it and it disappeared out the window. I went back to rinsing my face and was even more horrified to find another spider in the water so carefully checked the facecloth to make sure there were no more on it. There were none but I spent the rest of the time watching carefully for any more to appear but luckily that was it. Talk about the stuff of nightmares. I get the heebies every time I think about it.
Thursday morning was still overcast and cool. I made an extra special breakfast for Hubby seeing that it was his birthday. Diane and I gave him his presents and he chilled in bed for a time before stirring himself to get ready for the workshop. My phone had gone off again and was exactly the same as before so after doing some office work Diane and I went into Alberton City to take the phone there. After wandering around we took the phone in to get checked over – properly I hope -before I dropped Diane off at Julie. She was taking Hubby’s crutches for Julie to use. I went on up to the workshop to check on things and do some faxing from the landline. Hubby was having a good day with lots of phone calls and visits for his birthday. Once I had finished my faxing and chatted with visitors there I went back to fetch Diane and say Hi to Julie. Poor Julie is not having a good time. She has had an operation on her foot and after five weeks is still not healed and she can’t stand on it which is why she needed the crutches. Jared had his tonsils out last week and his grommet’s removed but seems to have an ear and throat infection now and to top it all she is very stressed as her dog killed her cat in front of her. Shame, it is so true ` it never rains but it pours’. Diane and I quickly went back to the workshop to make sure Hubby wasn’t going to be late as we wanted to take him out for a birthday supper before leaving for home.Hubby arrived home just after us and we all chilled outside with a glass of wine chatting before getting ready for our evening out. It was just after six when we left for the Piatto in Alberton getting more calls for birthday wishes along the way. The Piatto was busy but luckily we found a parking right in front. We sat outside on the balcony and had rock shandies – Hubby ordered his with extra cherries of course. It was very pleasant sitting there chatting and chilling. To Diane’s delight the Piatto now has a sushi menu and she ordered that for her meal. Hubby and I had rump steaks with chips and onion rings and the usual trimmings. We all thoroughly enjoyed the excellent food and finished off with a cappuccino each. It wasn’t too late when we got home and we spent the rest of the evening watching the usual TV and having a late Milo before going to bed. Hubby’s leg was really painful again and after he took pain-killers we chatted before they kicked in and he was able to sleep. We eventually put out the light around two.
On Friday morning I let Hubby sleep late before giving him his breakfast so that he could make up for his late turn-in. It was after nine before he left for the workshop and I got down to some serious cleaning and clearing washing. The weather was still overcast and cool but was windy so that helped to dry the washing. During the afternoon I had a nap to try and catch up on my sleep. Hubby was home about five and we chilled outside with our wine again. The sky was clear and though it was cool it was a beautiful evening with lots of birds singing in the trees above us. We even heard the red-billed hoopoes around in the trees next to the braai area. Hubby’s foot and leg still weren’t feeling too good so he went to rest them while I made supper. Diane and I spent the rest of the evening chilling in front of the TV before going to bed about twelve. When I went to lock up and take the dogs to the loo something jumped across the kitchen floor and landed on Bowser’s mat. I bent to examine it and found it was a little frog no bigger than my thumb nail which I took outside and released into the grass. Things like this is what makes living here so special.All for now. Cheers and have a fabulous weekend.

Leaving Teens Behind

Was up for my chill under the trees which, unfortunately, never happened as the morning was rather chilly and windy. Instead I sat inside looking through the lounge window. The mornings are starting to get really chilly now and it feels as if autumn is fast approaching. Summer sped by with few really hot days due to all the rain. Not that I am complaining as the garden really benefitted this year – I have never seen it so thick and lush as it is now. I marvel at it every time I sit outside and appreciate all the rain received.
Today was the day Diane left her teens behind (by rights she should only celebrate tonight as that’s when she was born). I took her a cuppa in bed and wished her Happy Birthday after giving her present to her. My last one has now left the teens behind. A momentous occasion for her (I hope) and a sad one for me as it is a reminder of time passing and age creeping up. For me that is of course. Oh to be twenty again!After doing a bit of office/computer work Diane and I went in to watch ` The Princess and the Frog’, it was a cute movie which we both enjoyed. After our movie we headed off to Il Fornos to get some lunch. We started off with rock shandies and a foccacia bread. Our meal was Portuguese Peri Peri Chicken Livers for me and crumbed mushrooms for Diane. My meal was Hot but absolutely delicious. The finishing touch was cappuccinos for both of us. While we were there we booked for our get-together meal for the family to celebrate with Diane on Friday night. Leaving there we headed up to the workshop where after checking on things we left taking Hubby with us as he wanted to take his DKW in on Friday to put new white wall tyres on it. We stopped at his friend’s garage to see all his cars – Lancias, Alfas, an F1 Maclaren and a Masserati. The cars were fabulous! When we left Hubby drove as I wasn’t feeling too well (sinus). I spent the evening dozing on and off after taking some tablets. Diane spent the evening on the computer. About eleven thirty I got up to take the dogs out before locking up. I couldn’t even face the thought of a Milo and just went straight back to bed.
Friday morning I was up early for my chill outside as usual. The morning was chilly but not windy so I sat outside for awhile before starting the morning routine. Still wasn’t feeling too good though and took more tablets. I spent the morning doing some cleaning, resting and reading. I really am enjoying `Peking’ though not as much as `Saigon’. Hubby was home late afternoon in time to get ready for our night out. We left just before six (booking was for half six). The traffic was light so we were there in plenty of time for the meal. Everyone had arrived by seven and we chilled, drinking and chatting until we were ready to order food. Hubby and I had Lamb Curry while everyone else had Pizza. This was followed by more drinks and cappuccinos. We had such a good time that the oldies only left about half nine and the rest went on to party at Barrels. Hubby and I chilled with more coffee in front of the TV for the rest of the evening. I went to bed about half eleven and carried on reading before falling asleep. Diane and Co partied until about three after which Diane spent the rest of the night (morning) at Julie’s place.
On Saturday I was up for my chill time outside and was greeted by a beautiful day again. The trees were full of birds – I spotted some bulbuls, a pair of sunbirds and plenty of weavers as well as the usual doves and sparrows. They all seemed to be welcoming the day with me. It was very peaceful and energizing. After breakfast was over I spent some time cleaning before going in to town, with Hubby, for some much needed grocery shopping and replenishing Hubby’s medical necessities for his toe. When we got back we off loaded the shopping and packed everything away before I carried on reading my book. Lunch time Hubby made us wors and salad rolls which were really good. I read a short while longer before going into Alberton to fetch Diane. It was well after three by the time we got back home. Diane watched some TV and I carried on reading (I just can’t seem to put `Peking’ down). After supper we watched` Coyote Ugly’ on TV having our usual Milo. Sitting there I felt my foot starting to get really painful and couldn’t find a comfortable way to sit- it is still rather swollen after my fall and seems to get worse if I drive too much. Eventually I took an anti-inflammatory as I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep if I didn’t take something. Diane carried on watching TV while I went to bed to read while waiting for the tablet to take effect. I must say Hubby and I are really a pair of old crocks these days.
Sunday morning Hubby woke me about six when he was getting ready to leave for his Piston Ring Meet. (He dropped something and the crash woke me) He left and I went back to sleep eventually surfacing about half nine. I had my cup of coffee sitting outside on another beautiful day in paradise. I sat for nearly an hour enjoying the peace and tranquility. I passed the day doing some washing in-between reading my book which I’m happy to say is nearly finished. Hubby was home early afternoon and spent the rest of the afternoon resting his foot which is very swollen and red again. I made a meal of chops, roast potatoes and vegs after which I loaded the dishwasher and cleaned pots. Diane and I watched `The secret life of bees’ and then Diane watched `Confessions of a Shopaholic’ while I cleared my ironing. Once the movie was over Diane made our Milo before going off to bed. I went to bed to read and managed to finish my book about one. I must see if I can find anything more by Anthony Grey as I really enjoy his books. They are gripping right from the beginning. The last few days have seemed very quiet and we are missing Wayne Big Time. Cheers and have a Fantastic Week .