What a frustrating week this has been! As at the beginning of the year our medical has been upgraded from a hospital plan to a full medical aid. When the upgrade was done, at the end of November, in the booklet was a part informing me that chronic medication needed to be registered with the medical aid if we wanted the facility and that only their medical service provider was allowed. There was no part on the form to put this down so with the application I sent a covering letter detailing all Hubby’s medication and duly got a reply – although only late December- that we had been upgraded. Last weekend, as Hubby’s medication was almost finished I told him he needed to get a new prescription ready to go to the new chemist. Monday morning he was in an otherwise mood and stomped off to work so I didn’t get a chance to remind him. By the time he came home he was in a better mood so I reminded him about it. Tuesday morning he got an appointment at the Dr to get a renewal and I phoned the Medical Aid to find out where their chemist was. I was annoyed to be told that sending Hubby’s prescription was the only way to get registered. Hallo! Why couldn’t they have let me know when they received my letter with his medication details? Worse still, was been informed that it was not a chemist they were affiliated to but a medication supplier and I was given the number for them. I got the fax number so that the Dr could send Hubby’s prescription straight to them to avoid any delays. After giving Hubby the number I phoned the medication supplier and was told to fax them the prescription and as soon as they had received it they would get authorisation from the medical aid. Dispatch time was 48hrs after this. Not good as Hubby would be out of medicine by then. There was nothing I could do but accept this and hope for the best. Anyway Hubby’s Dr couldn’t fax the prescription as the line was constantly busy so Hubby came home and I sent both faxes off from the computer – getting the reply that they had been received. Hubby finished his medication Wednesday and Thursday afternoon I phoned to see what time the stuff would be delivered to him. I was furious to be informed that Hubby wasn’t even registered on their system yet and the lady quickly put the details up while talking to me and said she would go and see what was happening with the delivery. The person I had spoken to on Tuesday phoned me back to say she had never received the fax and asked what number I had used to send it. She checked and came back saying she couldn’t find it. I asked her why she hadn’t registered Hubby’s details when I had spoken to her on Tuesday and was informed ‘I only take messages and pass them on’ By now my blood was boiling and I told her Hubby had no medicine left and he needed his stuff urgently. I was promised a speedy response and sent the prescription to her email. Friday I phoned her and asked when the delivery was happening and was informed despatch needed a day to get it ready before delivery and it would be delivered early Monday. Poor Hubby! By now the effect of no blood pressure medication was making itself felt. Monday lunchtime I phoned to see what time we could expect delivery. I was informed that the medication had only been sent across to deliveries that morning as there were no fridge facilities for the insulin and we would get the medication Tuesday morning. Did they suddenly get a fridge to keep it in for Monday night? This morning I received an sms telling me the stuff is in the delivery van and we should get it overnight. After complaining again I was put through to logistics who said they would contact the driver and tell him the delivery was urgent. I really can’t believe this and wonder what the medical aid was thinking when they came up with this wonderful way of dealing with medication needs. Logistics said they would come back to me as soon as they had spoken to the driver to tell me when to expect the delivery. That was half an hour ago and I am still waiting. TYPICAL!!! I just love the service delivery we are subjected to these days.
The rest of my time as been spent in the normal pursuits of cleaning and office work and my MUCH needed chill glass of wine in the evening and coffee every morning. What would I do without these survival aids?
Saturday Diane and I went to a client of her to pick up an item we had ordered and get some products for her to take pics of. We spent the afternoon there having a good catch-up chat over coffee. It was just after six when we finally left. Diane and I were just turning in to the road between Walkerville and Randvaal when the car cut out. Luckily it is a downhill and we coasted until the car came to a stop around the corner from the Walkerville road. I phoned Hubby and while we waited sat nervously with Taisers in hand. Hubby arrived and attached a tow rope between the cars. The one Major hang-up I have is being towed. I shake badly and expect to hit the back of the car towing me. Most of the way was downhill so this tow was even worse than usual. As we turned the corner into our road I shouted for Hubby to stop and asked him to take the rope off and let me coast down to the gate. He just laughed at me and continued towing me. Very inconsiderate! When we got home I had my VERY NECESSARY glass of wine to recover from the ordeal. Diane was just as bad as she also expected me to hit him and couldn’t even watch the road ahead. Sunday we spent the day chilling after the stressful week. Hubby towed the car in to the workshop this morning and I hope it is not too major a problem.
That’s it for now. Hope I have a better week.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Time with Family and Friends
It has been a week of overcast weather with intermittent spells of sun shining through from the cloud cover. Monday I managed to clear some washing and get it dried before we had a downpour which gave another 35mm of rain. The garden is such a pleasure at the moment as everywhere is lush again and full of birds. We are really enjoying chilling under the trees and watching all the birds. Hubby’s foot has healed beautifully and as long as he doesn’t walk too much he is fine. All the anaesthetic and medication is still having an effect on his body though as he is only able to manage half days at the workshop. He has been just going in and getting things ready for when the workshop re-opens next week. Diane and I have managed to cycle a couple of times when the weather hasn’t been too wet and have enjoyed the ride. Amber the cross Labrador/boerbull had a visit to the vet on Monday as her ear had got injured somehow and the underneath was a large blood blister. She has been sleeping in the sun lounge as she hasn’t felt too good and not been eating properly. It really was a battle getting her tablets down her as well. Eventually we found the easiest way was for Hubby to hold her mouth open while I dropped the tablets into the back of her throat. The only problem now is that she has decided sleeping there is wonderful and she is not interested in being a pleb outside with the other plebs. Her ear is not looking very pretty at the moment and I just hope it improves with time.
Thursday Hubby’s aunt and uncle came for a braai and luckily the weather stayed dry until we had cooked the meat. We did have to eat inside though due to the threat of rain and cool wind. It was good to spend time with them and to catch up on the latest family happenings. We really don’t get to see enough of family with our busy lives and daily routine.
Saturday was an old car get-together with about forty people meeting at The Harvard Cafe for breakfast. I was up early to have my chill coffee in the cottage looking out the lounge window as it was drizzling outside. While sitting there I spotted another bird not seen here before. It was a Paradise Fly-catcher which was flitting around between the wall and bushes outside the window. It’s longish tail and back are a brilliant orange. We really are getting a wide variety of birds at the moment. Everyone met about nine and had a great time over a breakfast buffet for the next few hours before leaving in convoy for Johann’s home to see his collection of cars. About half way to his place we rode into rain which stayed with us for the next couple of hours. This did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm with which everybody went around his cars. Johann has a collection of over forty cars all of which are fully licensed and on the road. Each car is washed weekly and kept in good running order. Luckily he also lives on a plot and has plenty of space to store all of them.
Sunday Ali and the boys came to visit for the day and we had a chill breakfast together after which we sat in the cottage lounge with tea and coffee while Ali gave me a much-needed pedicure. As we were sitting there the Paradise Fly-Catcher was flitting around outside the window again. Diane was kept busy straightening Ali’s hair while she was doing my feet and I was looking after Josh. Travis was running around playing with his toys in between watching what we were doing. Ali had finished with me and we put the kettle on for more coffee just as Pauline and Aeron arrived for a visit. It was great to see Aeron again and hard to believe she is now 16 years old already. Her and Michelle had been living in Jeffrey’s Bay for nearly six years but are now living in the Gauteng area again. We spent a great time together catching up on each other’s news. Ali gave Pauline a pedicure as well so she had rather a busy morning. It was overcast and drizzling so we had lunch inside but by the time we had coffee and cake the sun was out and we chilled under the trees while eating and drinking. Pauline and Aeron left mid-afternoon as she needed to take Aeron back to Michelle. Hubby and Ali took Travis for a walk around the plot as Josh was sleeping. They took him on the tyre swing and the only way we could get him off was telling him to come for apple pie and custard. He was dirty from the tyre and by the time he had finished eating he also had custard all down himself so we put both him and Josh in the bath before they left. Travis was so tired from running around that he fell asleep as soon as he was put into his car seat – Ali hadn’t even got in yet. Once they left I cleared up all his toys and gave the place a quick vacuum before chilling with my glass of wine. After our big breakfast and lunch we weren’t really hungry and just had salad for supper before watching TV.
Have a Great Week
Thursday Hubby’s aunt and uncle came for a braai and luckily the weather stayed dry until we had cooked the meat. We did have to eat inside though due to the threat of rain and cool wind. It was good to spend time with them and to catch up on the latest family happenings. We really don’t get to see enough of family with our busy lives and daily routine.
Saturday was an old car get-together with about forty people meeting at The Harvard Cafe for breakfast. I was up early to have my chill coffee in the cottage looking out the lounge window as it was drizzling outside. While sitting there I spotted another bird not seen here before. It was a Paradise Fly-catcher which was flitting around between the wall and bushes outside the window. It’s longish tail and back are a brilliant orange. We really are getting a wide variety of birds at the moment. Everyone met about nine and had a great time over a breakfast buffet for the next few hours before leaving in convoy for Johann’s home to see his collection of cars. About half way to his place we rode into rain which stayed with us for the next couple of hours. This did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm with which everybody went around his cars. Johann has a collection of over forty cars all of which are fully licensed and on the road. Each car is washed weekly and kept in good running order. Luckily he also lives on a plot and has plenty of space to store all of them.
Sunday Ali and the boys came to visit for the day and we had a chill breakfast together after which we sat in the cottage lounge with tea and coffee while Ali gave me a much-needed pedicure. As we were sitting there the Paradise Fly-Catcher was flitting around outside the window again. Diane was kept busy straightening Ali’s hair while she was doing my feet and I was looking after Josh. Travis was running around playing with his toys in between watching what we were doing. Ali had finished with me and we put the kettle on for more coffee just as Pauline and Aeron arrived for a visit. It was great to see Aeron again and hard to believe she is now 16 years old already. Her and Michelle had been living in Jeffrey’s Bay for nearly six years but are now living in the Gauteng area again. We spent a great time together catching up on each other’s news. Ali gave Pauline a pedicure as well so she had rather a busy morning. It was overcast and drizzling so we had lunch inside but by the time we had coffee and cake the sun was out and we chilled under the trees while eating and drinking. Pauline and Aeron left mid-afternoon as she needed to take Aeron back to Michelle. Hubby and Ali took Travis for a walk around the plot as Josh was sleeping. They took him on the tyre swing and the only way we could get him off was telling him to come for apple pie and custard. He was dirty from the tyre and by the time he had finished eating he also had custard all down himself so we put both him and Josh in the bath before they left. Travis was so tired from running around that he fell asleep as soon as he was put into his car seat – Ali hadn’t even got in yet. Once they left I cleared up all his toys and gave the place a quick vacuum before chilling with my glass of wine. After our big breakfast and lunch we weren’t really hungry and just had salad for supper before watching TV.
Have a Great Week
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Welcoming 2011
Tuesday morning we had our chill coffee under the trees watching the birds having their usual feeding frenzy. When Hubby first started putting the seed out it lasted about a week but now the greedy things finish it a day. All the birds in the area must have been informed of the free food and as soon as the feeders are filled they swarm in. It is lovely to chill and watch them and the variety in the garden now is amazing. We are getting birds we have never seen before such as the Pintailed Whydah bird which we have seen pecking on the floor under the feeders. There is still plenty of Quelea feeding as well. Once Hubby had left for the workshop I did a quick clear up in the kitchen and then Diane and I left for a day at Eastgate. We booked to see the latest` Focker’ movie before having lunch at Lattelicious. As we had walked past on the way to book the delicious smell of coffee had hit me from them and so decided that we would eat there for a change. It was a good choice as the coffee was perfect and the meal was excellent. We both had pasta dishes which we really enjoyed and finished off with a carrot juice to get our health kick in. After wandering around the shops we headed back for our movie which kept us in stitches. We both agreed that this was the best one so far. After the movie we did some more shopping before heading home for our glass of wine and, once supper was over, a good evening of TV viewing.
The rest of the week was spent doing computer work and the making sure the house looked good to welcome in the New Year. New Years Eve we chilled with wine and snacks watching the start of 2011 on TV.
New Years Day after a chill breakfast outside under the trees we got ourselves ready for a day on the Vaal. Arriving at StoneHaven was quite a surprise as the place was already rather packed with a lot of people having the same idea. Since our last visit there have been many additions and improvements to the place which is really looking good. The gardens were stunning after all the rain in the last few weeks. The lawns leading down to the river were covered in umbrellas, chairs and tables as well as a large marquee. After wandering around admiring the gardens and taking pics we found ourselves a table and ordered drinks while deciding on what to eat for lunch. Hubby had lamb shank while I settled for the prawns and Diane decided to have chips with a mushroom sauce. We all enjoyed the food which was excellent as usual. We chilled over lunch for several hours watching all the happenings around us. Considering the amount of people there the service and food was absolutely fantastic. It was mid afternoon by the time we were finished and we decided to go on the cruise down the river at half three. After booking the tickets we continued to relax on the lawn until time to board. By the time we found our seats on the top deck of ‘The Spirit of Jen’ the sun was blazing down uncomfortably so we moved to a table inside. The cruise took us downriver along ‘Millionaire’s Mile’ and back to StoneHaven. We sat thoroughly enjoying ourselves taking pics, enjoying the scenery and life along the river while nursing our savannah lites. The cruise was definitely a good end to a wonderful New Years Day spent relaxing in a beautiful setting with good company and great food. Once home we all had a nap before thinking about supper and an evening in front of the TV.
Sunday was another chill day relaxing under the trees. We tried to go onto the internet in the afternoon but had run out of airtime. Monday morning I quickly cleared some washing before going to get some airtime for the computer. By the time we got back there was so much thunder and lightning activity around that it was impossible to even think about putting the computer on. This lasted for the rest of the day though we only, eventually, had rain late evening. The storm was so bad we couldn’t even have the TV on. At least we were able to do lots of reading.
Have a Fantastic 2011 and May ALL your Hopes and Dreams come True.
The rest of the week was spent doing computer work and the making sure the house looked good to welcome in the New Year. New Years Eve we chilled with wine and snacks watching the start of 2011 on TV.
New Years Day after a chill breakfast outside under the trees we got ourselves ready for a day on the Vaal. Arriving at StoneHaven was quite a surprise as the place was already rather packed with a lot of people having the same idea. Since our last visit there have been many additions and improvements to the place which is really looking good. The gardens were stunning after all the rain in the last few weeks. The lawns leading down to the river were covered in umbrellas, chairs and tables as well as a large marquee. After wandering around admiring the gardens and taking pics we found ourselves a table and ordered drinks while deciding on what to eat for lunch. Hubby had lamb shank while I settled for the prawns and Diane decided to have chips with a mushroom sauce. We all enjoyed the food which was excellent as usual. We chilled over lunch for several hours watching all the happenings around us. Considering the amount of people there the service and food was absolutely fantastic. It was mid afternoon by the time we were finished and we decided to go on the cruise down the river at half three. After booking the tickets we continued to relax on the lawn until time to board. By the time we found our seats on the top deck of ‘The Spirit of Jen’ the sun was blazing down uncomfortably so we moved to a table inside. The cruise took us downriver along ‘Millionaire’s Mile’ and back to StoneHaven. We sat thoroughly enjoying ourselves taking pics, enjoying the scenery and life along the river while nursing our savannah lites. The cruise was definitely a good end to a wonderful New Years Day spent relaxing in a beautiful setting with good company and great food. Once home we all had a nap before thinking about supper and an evening in front of the TV.
Sunday was another chill day relaxing under the trees. We tried to go onto the internet in the afternoon but had run out of airtime. Monday morning I quickly cleared some washing before going to get some airtime for the computer. By the time we got back there was so much thunder and lightning activity around that it was impossible to even think about putting the computer on. This lasted for the rest of the day though we only, eventually, had rain late evening. The storm was so bad we couldn’t even have the TV on. At least we were able to do lots of reading.
Have a Fantastic 2011 and May ALL your Hopes and Dreams come True.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Lead Up to Christmas Weekend
Monday Diane went off to visit a friend and I had a chill day to recover from the hectic weekend with grandchildren and the Christmas get-together. Tuesday morning I was woken when the alarm beeped at three to say that the power had gone off. I sorted it out and went back to bed hoping it would be back on by the time the alarm went off. No such luck! I phoned Eskom to be informed that technicians were working on the problem and they had no idea how long it would take to fix. Thank goodness for gas. Hubby and I chilled under the trees with our morning cuppa before having fruit and yoghurt. After Hubby left for work I started some cleaning. By ten the power was still off so Diane and I decided to spend the rest of the day at Eastgate and see a movie. We booked to see ‘Spud’ and then went to the Bread Basket for lunch and a coffee. We both enjoyed the movie which was funny and sad. We did some shopping before returning home, glad, to find the power back on. I did some cleaning before we settled to an evening in front of the TV. Wednesday I got down to doing my statements with Diane’s help to scan and fax as I finished. By lunchtime they were done and we did some cleaning before leaving to fetch Travis and Josh. Their nursery school was closing for the Christmas period and as Ali was still working there was no one to look after them. We were back around five and chilled outside under the tree where they ate their supper. Hubby also ate before getting ready for a meeting he had. On the way to the meeting he dropped Diane off at Donovan’s brother where they were having a farewell for Wayne and Bec. The boys and I chilled outside until just before seven when I bathed them. Travis was asleep soon after and Josh followed fairly quickly. I spent the evening watching TV until Hubby and Diane arrived back from their evening out. Both had had a good time. Once I got to bed my peaceful evening changed. Josh is teething at the moment and he kept waking up miserable. It was fairly easy to soothe him back to sleep but it meant we were both rather exhausted by morning. The boys and I were up before six chilling under the trees having a morning cuppa. Hubby joined us and we ate breakfast together outside. Travis loves being outside and to him the times under the trees are The Best. Hubby has put up the bird feeders again and we have lots of entertainment watching them feed. At one time there were about a dozen Red-headed finches eating above our heads. Even Josh was watching them eat. Once breakfast was over we all got ready to go to the airport to say bye to Wayne and Bec. No sooner were we in the car than Travis and Josh were asleep and only woke up as we parked. We went straight to Capello where we were to meet Donovan and them. We were busy with our milkshakes when they arrived. After saying ‘Hi’ they all went off to book in. Hubby took Travis for a walk around while we waited for them to come back. Donovan joined us shortly after saying he had left them putting their cases through. We all had a great farewell together over lunch with Hubby and Donovan disappearing together periodically to have a smoke outside. Yes. Hubby is still smoking and enjoying it! Men! We left just before one when Bec and Wayne went through to the Departure area.
Once home we spent the rest of the day chilling outside with the boys. Both fell asleep fairly early but it was another very restless night with Josh. Friday morning was up early again chilling outside with the boys. Hubby went in to the workshop for a couple of hours before returning for lunch which we ate outside under the trees. All the fresh air and exercise makes for two tired little boys at night. About three I bathed Travis and got him ready to leave for home. Dane and I loaded the car with all their things. Travis was very tired after all his running around and was asleep before we were even out the yard. I drove slowly to give him time to have a fair sleep. We arrived at Ali just after four and after dropping off the boys and their things we were soon on the way home. Thanks to the Christmas season the roads were very quiet and we were home at five in time to chill with a glass of wine. I quickly vacuumed everywhere ready for the weekend and after supper we chilled in front of the TV. The weekend has been spent chilling and catching up on sleep. We feel almost normal again. Today Hubby has popped into the workshop to see that all is OK and I am cleaning ready for the week ahead.
Hope you all had A Great Christmas. Have a Great Week.
Once home we spent the rest of the day chilling outside with the boys. Both fell asleep fairly early but it was another very restless night with Josh. Friday morning was up early again chilling outside with the boys. Hubby went in to the workshop for a couple of hours before returning for lunch which we ate outside under the trees. All the fresh air and exercise makes for two tired little boys at night. About three I bathed Travis and got him ready to leave for home. Dane and I loaded the car with all their things. Travis was very tired after all his running around and was asleep before we were even out the yard. I drove slowly to give him time to have a fair sleep. We arrived at Ali just after four and after dropping off the boys and their things we were soon on the way home. Thanks to the Christmas season the roads were very quiet and we were home at five in time to chill with a glass of wine. I quickly vacuumed everywhere ready for the weekend and after supper we chilled in front of the TV. The weekend has been spent chilling and catching up on sleep. We feel almost normal again. Today Hubby has popped into the workshop to see that all is OK and I am cleaning ready for the week ahead.
Hope you all had A Great Christmas. Have a Great Week.
Monday, December 20, 2010
A Great Week
It has been a really good week and it has just flown past. The beginning was busy with cleaning and sorting out office work ready for the annual shut-down on Wednesday. Wednesday morning we had a downpour and as we couldn’t do much at home Diane and I went shopping for our final Christmas shop. It was clear when we got home mid afternoon but by evening the rain had set in again. The rain didn’t stop until Thursday lunchtime by which time we had had 180mm on the plot. Elsewhere there was flooding with many low-lying areas under water. The garden is starting to look good again though some parts are still trying to recover from the winter frosts.
Friday Diane and I finished the last of the cleaning before we all went in to have supper at Donovan’s Mom. We all had a very pleasant evening with great food and wine. The main course was curried prawns which were absolutely delicious. Wayne and Bec came back to the plot for the weekend and it was almost midnight by the time we had finished catching up on all the news about their Safari trip. Saturday morning Diane and the two of them went for a cycle after having a big breakfast -compliments of Hubby. Once they were back they sorted themselves out before we went in to The Glen for them to do some more shopping and to get their pics developed. We were back mid afternoon in time for the arrival of Ali and the boys. We all chilled outside in the Play area before they decided to play cricket. I watched Josh and made a casual supper while they played their game. Wayne had actually found his cricket bat he had left here when they immigrated to Oz which had sparked the idea of the game. Once supper was over and the boys were asleep we did the final wrapping of presents before watching some TV. We all went to bed around midnight.
Sunday I was up early for my chill coffee just as Hubby was leaving for a Piston Ring Meet. No sooner had I finished then Ali and the boys joined me for a light breakfast before starting the food for lunch.
Between Ali and myself we had all the salads made and the meat cooked by eleven. Diane and I set the table with all the Christmas decorations and crackers under the car port. When Hubby got back from his Meet we exchanged presents. Val, Colin and the girls arrived to join us for our early Christmas lunch and once all the food was put out we all tucked in. The afternoon was spent enjoying the food, wine and excellent company. It’s hard to believe that it will be a while before we can all be together again. Wayne and Bec go back home this week and Kim is leaving on Sunday for her two year internship in Cape Town. Val and family and Ali and the boys left about half three just as we had a shower of rain. Wayne and Bec packed their bags ready to spend the last few days of their holiday with Donovan while Diane and I chilled in front of the computer and Hubby watched some TV. When the rain cleared we tidied up outside before taking Wayne and Bec into Alberton to Donovan. The rest of the evening was spent watching movies.
Bye for now. Have a fantastic Christmas.
Friday Diane and I finished the last of the cleaning before we all went in to have supper at Donovan’s Mom. We all had a very pleasant evening with great food and wine. The main course was curried prawns which were absolutely delicious. Wayne and Bec came back to the plot for the weekend and it was almost midnight by the time we had finished catching up on all the news about their Safari trip. Saturday morning Diane and the two of them went for a cycle after having a big breakfast -compliments of Hubby. Once they were back they sorted themselves out before we went in to The Glen for them to do some more shopping and to get their pics developed. We were back mid afternoon in time for the arrival of Ali and the boys. We all chilled outside in the Play area before they decided to play cricket. I watched Josh and made a casual supper while they played their game. Wayne had actually found his cricket bat he had left here when they immigrated to Oz which had sparked the idea of the game. Once supper was over and the boys were asleep we did the final wrapping of presents before watching some TV. We all went to bed around midnight.
Sunday I was up early for my chill coffee just as Hubby was leaving for a Piston Ring Meet. No sooner had I finished then Ali and the boys joined me for a light breakfast before starting the food for lunch.
Between Ali and myself we had all the salads made and the meat cooked by eleven. Diane and I set the table with all the Christmas decorations and crackers under the car port. When Hubby got back from his Meet we exchanged presents. Val, Colin and the girls arrived to join us for our early Christmas lunch and once all the food was put out we all tucked in. The afternoon was spent enjoying the food, wine and excellent company. It’s hard to believe that it will be a while before we can all be together again. Wayne and Bec go back home this week and Kim is leaving on Sunday for her two year internship in Cape Town. Val and family and Ali and the boys left about half three just as we had a shower of rain. Wayne and Bec packed their bags ready to spend the last few days of their holiday with Donovan while Diane and I chilled in front of the computer and Hubby watched some TV. When the rain cleared we tidied up outside before taking Wayne and Bec into Alberton to Donovan. The rest of the evening was spent watching movies.
Bye for now. Have a fantastic Christmas.
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