My Ramblings

Another Tough Week.

Things HAVE to start getting better now, surely.  It's been a hard few weeks that is for sure.

While I was still trying to get my back our of spasm I had a phone call from my mother saying that my dad was in hospital.  The news was that he had collapsed that morning, Monday 5th Nov.  From what she told me, it sounded like he had had a stroke, and sure enough the eventual word came back that he had had a small clot.  10 years ago he had had a series of clots and had been put on Warfarin which he had been taking till a few months ago when he was taken off is as he was bleeding internally.  Instead he was put on Plavix, a milder form of medication, and in the meantime has had the bleeding areas fixed.  All was well till last week.  It seems that the Plavix hasn't controlled the clotting as well as the Warfarin.

I was finally able to make the 1 hour journey to visit him on the Thursday, and he had apparently improved a little from earlier that week.  That night however he had yet another clot, and the doctors said on the Friday that he was unlikely to come home, and that he was deteriorating.  After a discussion with my mum it was decided that they would add aspirin to his list of meds, and when I went to see him on Friday it was like a miracle.  He was much more alert (though very restless) and wanted to get up and about.  We took him for a walk, with him using a wheelie walker, and he did exceptionally well.  He has improved a little each day since, and will be going to rehabilitation soon.  The only thing is that he is now getting bored, and therefore somewhat despondent as he has nothing to do there, time is dragging, and he's not improving as fast as HE would like.  He is very demanding of mums time too, so she is getting a bit stressed and tired, so hopefully once he's at rehab, and his time is more filled, she will get a bit of a rest.

As for my back, it's very much better, though not fully pain free as yet.  At least  I can get around though, and that is good........for me, as I too was getting bored and restless. lol  Driving and knitting are still a bit difficult, but I'm getting there. My HRB is growing slowly, but over the next few days I hope to really get stuck into it and hopefully get it finished........yeah, I'm getting impatient too........do I sound like my fathers daughter? haha.

As you can see, it has grown a little.  I'm now up to row 99, so almost into triple figures now.  Send me good vibes so that I can get it done........I'm itching to cast on for another project, possibly a pair of socks for moi.

Take care all, and happy knitting.

OUCH

Hi all,

Sorry I've been silent for a while, but I've more or less been confined to bed and my couch with a severely sore back.  I'm not sure if it was because of the seat on the plane on the way home from Perth or not, but about halfway through the flight I did start to get a back ache.  The seat on the flight home seamed to be much more upright than the one on the way over; it had no curve or contouring or anything, and didn't recline as far either.  My back was ok once I got home, but then a few day later, on the Saturday while at my youngest son's housewarming party, I noticed it aching again.  By Sunday I was in a lot of pain, and it's been like that since.  On Friday just gone it seemed markedly improved, but on Saturday we went to #3 son's house for his daughter's birthday.  I had to leave early because my back was spasming, and by the time I got home I wasn't able to walk or move without pain.  I am now making great freinds with paracetamol, and ibuprofen with codeine, and falling in love with my wheat bag. 

Due to being confined to bed or couch, I haven't been able to access our PC; but thankfully, my gorgeous MOTH has now set up our laptop so that I can now be in communicado again.  While I'm on here though, he can't be on the PC, so I will need to get a wireless router ASAP so that we can both be "on" at the same time.  I'll try to get that this evening and #2 son will come and set it up for us.

I also haven't been able to do any knitting as even moving my arms wrong can send the back muscles into spasm.........can you imagine me trying to go to the loo?  Must uncomfortable and ungainly, lol  Shower I can just manage, but getting in and out is difficult as it's over the bath. 

Well folks, that's about it for the time being.  Now I have the computer I can check out YOUR blogs, so I'm off to do some reading.

WOWEEEEE

When I got home last night there were two big boxes waiting for me.  I knew they would be there as my SP11 Pal said they were on the way, and the MOTH told me he had been to the post office to collect them.  I was too tired to open them last night, so did so today: and what a surprise I got.
Two boxes like this, and so well taped that nothing could have been taken out without a great deal of trouble; no wonder customs didn't even bother. lol

Just look at the contents of the first box, lots of lollies (candies to you in the US, sweeties in the UK.)  Lollipops, nerds, marshmallow ghosts (I think), and lots of other goodies.

I love these little boxes which were filled with the lollipops and other small lollies.  I'll be keeping these as trinket boxes.

A lovely gift back containing several wrapped parcels.  I could hear something tinkling and hoped that nothing had been broken in transit.  I needn't have worried; these are what caused the tinkling..........

Tweedle Dum, and 
Tweedle Dee.  Even the original arachnophobe me couldn't be scared of these cute critters.  I'm now trying to figure out where I'll hand them.  Somewhere away from the curious kitties methinks.

And some lovely socks.   I love socks, and am always buying novelty pairs, so these suit me right down to my toes.

The second box contained knitting related goodies.........
A stubby/can holder of my very own to keep my drinks cool and my fingers warm and dry so I can keep knitting.  It even has my initial on it, and it was made specially for me by my pals sister.

Another gorgeous trinket box containing.............

A skein of Tofutsies sock yarn in acid green (I can't stop petting this), a lovely dish cloth, (going straight into my kitchen drawer), a small sachet containing a bar of Provence Gardens lavender soap (yumm),a purply blue face cloth and a head band (perfect for keeping my hair out of my face), some  beautiful stitch markers and matching stitch and row counter bracelet which are good enough to wear as earrings and bracelet......except the bracelet wouldn't fit on my fat wrist.

And the cards, hand made.  Such a talented lady.  The one with the house is 3D and embossed I think.  It feels incredible.

So far, I know my pals name is Marie, and that she is from the states. (I have a return address), and that she hasn't been knitting very long.  Other than that I don't know if she has a blog etc.  I'm sure that will come to light when the time is right, and I'll be able to get to know her better, as she has so obviously gotten to know me.

I am so humbled by all these lovely and thoughtful gifts.  I am so looking forward to knitting some socks from the Tofutsies as it feels so wonderfully soft and luxurious.  They will definately have to be for me.  Right now my mouth is watering and I'm fighting very hard against going and getting my teeth stuck into some of those tempting goodies currently resting on my bed.  Thankyou so much Marie, you have really outdone yourself.  Don't sell your self short, I am sure you could knit socks, they are really not that hard.

Back at home.

I got home last night (or rather this morning) at 1230.  Latte was ecstatic to see me and jumped all over the place, my son was already  in bed, and hasn't surfaced yet, it's 0802 so far too early for him.  My poor MOTH, after picking me up last night was up again at 0515 to head off again.  As a chauffeur he often has early morning jobs, and late night ones too.  That's fine for younger people, but he's 66 and shouldn't be doing it this hard......still, it's his choice.

My flight home was ok.  I couldn't get a window seat, so was put on the aisle.  Being overweight, my elbows don't sit neatly by my side, so I kept getting bumped, as I knew I would.  During the flight I got up to go to the loo, and found that toward the back of the plane there were people with 3 seats to themselves, and I was put with 2 other people.  It was also over the wing.  Now, it seems that whenever I fly I'm over or JUST off the wing.  I'm beginning to think I have a big L tattooed on my forehead. lol  Still the people next to me were nice.  They were also returning home after a 2 week visit with their son and D.I.L.

Yesterday, we went to the zoo in Perth.  It's a lovely zoo, quite compact so easy to get around.  I love what they have done for the orang-utan's, with the climbing towers with shade.......

They appear to love it too.

I'm not going to bore you with lot's of photo's from the zoo, just a couple of the family......
Me with TPH and the kids.  Natalie of course took this photo.  We are outside the old Meerkat display which is now closed as they are either refurbishing this one or building a new one; I'm not sure which.

Natalie and I with the kids, this time taken by TPH.  We are sitting on a bench with a statue of an ape and her baby.  The sign above our heads reads "just haning out with some of our relatives".  Very cute.

Maisy riding the small carousel.  She kept asking for "one more" each time it stopped, mind you, it cost @2.00 per ride.  She most certainly showed her displeasure when we finally said that was enough.

#2 son Gage with his dad.

#3 son Declan sitting still (but only for a very short time) on a turtle statue.

Not able to get a photo of #1 son Reece on his own, so here he is with Maisy, standing among the plants.

After the zoo we went to Kings Park, which is huge and is elevated so you get great views over Perth and the Swan River.  There are lots of great places for a picnic etc.  We didn't stay, just went through so that I could see it as I have been to Perth several times, and never got to go to the park.
Isn't this view terrific.  The broad expanse of water you can see behind me is the Swan River.  When you first come upon it you would think its a vast lake, but no, just the river.  I've seen many rivers in my lifetime and on my travels, but I would have to say that this is the most magnificent one I've seen.  It's amazing, so wide and meandering.

And another view over to Perth, this is not the main part of the city, but that can't be seen from where I'm standing.  The actual CITY skyline is further around to the left and is blocked by other areas of the park.

The HRB is now up to row 83, and I will take a photo.............when I finally unpack my suitcase hehe.  I will be working more on it later today.  Right now I have to get ready to go an meet #2 son's ex and their child.  Tahli is nearly 2, and I  haven't seen her for a while, so I'm looking forward to spending a bit of time with her.

Stay happy and healthy and happy knitting

Penultimate day.

Tomorrow I head home, but not till after a trip to the zoo with Natalie and family.  Her TPH tells me it's a great zoo, and that I have to see it.  The boys will have a day off school so that we can all go, and then it will be time to take me to the airport for my flight home.  I leave at 6 pm and arrive in Melbourne around 1145.  I won't actually get to my home till well after midnight.  While I'm not exactly looking forward to leaving Natalie and the kids, I'm certainly looking forward to getting home, and seeing the rest of my family, and Latte of course.  I've been told she's doing very well.

For today, Natalie and I will go to visit my nephew at his phtography gallery.  (ooops, I can't spell)  He takes excellent landscape photo's and has some absolutely gorgeous shots of lightening.  Do go and have a look, you won't be disappointed.  We will have lunch with my nephew and his wife, then probably do a bit of shopping before heading home to get the boys from school.  Natalie of course will head off to uni early evening, as she does Monday to Thursday.

My HRB is growing nicely, I'm up to row 69.  I didn't do any over the weekend as I didn't have the pattern, and I was busy entertaining Princess Maisy anyway, so I'm not as far along as I would have liked.  I'm really loving it though, and it's such an easy knit once you get going.  Pity I can't knit on the plane, but I'll really get stuck into it when I'm back home......the housework will have to wait. hehe

Well, next time I post I'll be back at my own computer.  I'll then be able to reply to all the posts I've had since being here too as I don't get the messages here.

Happy knitting everyone.

#1 Son, again.

Aaron was in hospital overnight after having surgery to clean out and investigate the wound.  He had indeed ruptured a lubricating sac in the elbow, and the saw blade had just touched the bone, but no other injuries were found.  Such a lucky boy.  He was finally allowed out of hospital the next day after waiting till early afternoon for the doctor to come and check his handiwork.  To say that Aaron was impatiently waiting is a gross understatement.  He threatened to leave without being seen, but I was able to convince him to stay.  The dressings were changed, and he has been given instructions not to touch them now till he sees the doctor again in 2 weeks.  We'll see how he goes with that; he's known to "forget" such instructions when it suits (or not).  Given that he has been told not to do too much with that arm, and being that it's his right arm, he needs to have people around to help him with things he can't manage, so he's staying with his brother while dad and I are away.  He thought he'd be goind back to work mid-week, but was told by the doctor that he has to have at least 2 weeks off...........and my car is still in for repairs.  Well, it was.  It was ready for pick up yesterday afternoon, but I'm not sure if he is able to drive at this stage, even if it is an automatic.  Ah well, if he can't drive, he can't gallivant all over the place in my car can he, and that's not such a bad thing. hehe.

Aaron, with his son Ethyn.

Latte too is doing well, also staying with Aaron at Eliot's.  She wasn't eating the food that I provided, so they were quite worried.  I said to try her with some of their food, and if she ate that she was obviously just being fussy, and to leave her and she'll eat if she gets hungry enough.  If she didn't eat "real" food, then she was really ill or fretting.  I was pretty sure she'd go for the chicken, steak or whatever, and I was right.  She's not fretting, the little minx.  She obviously thought it was good when mum hand fed her real food after she got sick, and was trying out for more. hehe  As I said, she won't starve.  She's not a big eater at the best of times, and I'm sure that she's getting stuff that Eliot and Juanita aren't aware of, such as Jayda's cast offs from her snacks etc.  Latte certainly won't starve in that household.

I am having a great time with Natalie and family.  Yesterday Natalie, Maisy and I went to visit her mother-in-law about 1 1/2 hours drive away.  What a quaint little hamlet she lives in.  There isn't even a pharmacy there, the nearest one is 17 kilometres away.  It's a very quiet village that just appears as you round a bend in the road.  It's miles from anywhere, and I'm sure there would be only very minimal crime there.  Perfect for Lee and her hubby........not so perfect for me as a long term abode.  I think I'd go a bit stir crazy in such a quiet place.  I doubth there would be anywhere to go for a coffee and chat with friends without driving miles, and I guess you'd have a long drive to find somewhere to go for dinner too.  I have lived in similar places in the past when my boys were little (I was usually out of town on a farm), and it was ok then as they kept me occupied, and it was great for them as there was lots of space for them to run around and be loud etc.  Now, although I still am quite happy in my own company, I do like to be able to go out if and when I want; know that the bright lights are not far away etc.  I'm not a gad-about, but we, as a family, do like to go to a nice restaurant from time to time, for mum/dads day, birthdays and so on, so it's nice to be close enough to be able to do that.  For Lee to be able to do that, as I said earlier, it's over 1 hours drive into suburbia, and of course the same home.  That wouldn't do for me, although I would like the peace and quiet that her home affords.  Why can't we have that with only a few minutes drive to the bright lights.......that's not too much to ask is it? lol

KNITTING:  I have been doing some knitting while I've been here, but it's been slow going.  Just about every pattern row I have been making mistakes.............seems I've forgotten how to knit and play with children at the same time. hehe  It is growing though, see.......

It will, eventually, be a circular blanket approximately 4' in diameter. When Lee saw it yesterday, she thought it was a beret, and I agree, it really does look like one, and I think I may even knit the pattern again to this stage and then make it into one as I think it's really pretty.  The colour isn't perfect (is it ever), a bit lighter than what the actual colour is. 

Take care all, and happy knitting.

Update on #1 son.

It appears that the saw blade has actually taken a chip out of the bone in Aarons elbow, and also possible ruptured one of the lubricating sacs, so he is now in surgery to clean and repair the wound.  The main fear with bones of course is infection, so he will have to have IV antibiotics, at least overnight.  Due to not having a good blood supply, infection in bone can be very serious, and very difficult to treat.  Aaron isn't too happy about having to stay in hospital, but after having a chat with his mum he has decided that he will abide by the doctors descision, so long as he can TV access.  Hopefully his friend has been able to organise that for him while he was in theatre.  I am sure all will be well, I have utmost confidence in the hospital he is in as it's one that I worked in regularly, and was my favourite place to work.

Will let you know more when I know.   

This Bird has flown

all the way to Perth, and am thoroughly enjoying my time so far.  It's still school hols here at the moment, so I'm getting to spend some quality time with all the kids, though I'm sure I'll be appreciating them being back at school by the time Tuesday comes along. lol  It is certainly great getting kisses and hugs from the boys (not so many from the eldest now, as he has just turned 13 and of course is at that more aloof, I'm too big for this palaver stage), but absolutely wonderful to get them from the littlest princess as she will be only 2 tomorrow, and has been in Perth for 10 months now.  It's a happy nanna who has to pick up the little miss. hehe.  The eldest boy has always been a quiet boy who prefers to play on his computer or x-box rather than be outside on his bike etc........not that he doesn't do those things, sometimes.  I think he'll probably go on to work in IT or something similar, and will do extremely well at it, although in the past he has expressed an interest in the military like his dad.  Middle boy is also fairly quiet, quite introspective and very self critical.  He gets very angry with himself and despondent when he feels he's failing at something.  He is a gorgeous looking young man, and will be a lady killer when he's older I think........watch out for those eyes girls.  Youngest son is the loud, in your face kid, and such a klutz.  Then he smiles that cheeky smile, and you just melt.  This one has charisma, and don't you forget it.  He has a sense of humour that will get him a long way in life.  The Princess: well, what can we say about her.  A (nicely) spoilt little miss who can nearly always get her own way, and knows it too.  She has that cheeky "I know you'll give in to me" look, and then she'll grin knowing that once again she has you in the palm of her hand.  At almost 2 (tomorrow), she has a great vocabulary, and uses it to her advantage too.  They are all such a joy to be around, and I have missed them terribly.  I am so glad that I was able to make the trip.

Eldest son, outside in the sunshine for a while.

Middle son, and isn't that such a cheeky grin?

Youngest son, standing still for a moment.  Doesn't happen too often.  Such a gorgeous face.

The Princess, get a load of the mischief in that face.  Isn't she a cutie.

Sure, I might (make that a definate) be biased, but I'm sure you'll all agree with me that these kids are a beautiful bunch.

TPH with his dad during a BBQ out at the park.  Can't find many photo's of him as like his youngest son, he hardly ever stays still long enough to get one........except when he's on the computer or playing his games lol.

And MY beautiful daughter with HER beautiful daughter.  My girl is the bestest daughter in the whole world, and I can get away with saying that as I only have the one.  Again, a might be a tad biased, but I'm allowed to be.

The dramas continue.  Got a phone call from my MOTH today to say that #1 son is in the emergency department having walked into a saw at work.  Thankfully it is nothing too serious, just a very deep gash below the elbow, and doesn't seem to have any muscle or tendon damage.  He is awaiting an orthopaedic consult though as they think he may have chipped the bone, and if that's the case he will need the bone cleaned before infection sets in.  If that is all ok, it will just be a case of suturing the wound and he should be able to return to work by early next week.  You can imagine how I felt being told this when I'm so far away.  I have since talked to him on the phone, and he's ok.  Very philosophical, knowing it was basically his own fault the accident happened, and he's in good spirits.  He's just turned 29, but he's still my little boy (6'4"), hehe

On the knitting front, today I'm hoping to start knitting a blanket like the one my daughter is knitting.  She is doing hers in a purply pink, and I'll do mine in green.  I have the yarn, given to me by Nattychick of course, and will borrow needles for now.  Photo's once I've got a few rows done.

Happy knitting everyone.

Latte

Latte is my beloved miniature fox terrier/chihuahua cross dog.  She is nearly 3, DOB 22nd December 2004. She is the type of dog who has to be "WITH" me.  If I'm sitting on the chair, she's there too, if I'm on the couch, yep, then that's where you'll find her, and if I'm in bed.....ditto.  Also, she doesn't just sit beside me, if at all possible, she sits ON me.  I absolutely adore her, and would be heart broken should anything happen to her, and on Wednesday night/Thursday morning, something very nearly did.

We had gone out for dinner for #3 sons birthday.  When we got home, Latte was inside the house, but as #1 son had got home a little while before us, I'm not sure if she had been outside prior to that.  She sat "with" me and two cats for approximately an hour watching TV until I was falling asleep and decided to go to bed.  Of course Latte came with me.  This was around 2230.  Around 0300 something woke me, and I felt for Latte for some reason.  She was under the covers, down at the bottom of the bed, and seemed ok, but then I became aware that she was panting VERY heavily.  I sat up and pulled the covers back and saw that she was also salivating excessively and that it appeared as though she had wet the bed, something that has never happened before.  I picked her up and she looked almost wild.  I took her outside as I thought maybe she was going to vomit, but when I put her down, her legs couldn't hold her and she just scrabbled around to move around the lawn.  I rushed inside to find a 24 hour vet to take her to as the vet I normally go to is only normal business hours.  I finally found one not too far from me and off we went, me very tearful and Latte still panting and salivating.  I was thinking maybe poison, and so were the vets.  When they made her vomit, that was confirmed when they saw evidence of snail pellets in the vomitus.  The MOTH had put some pellets down a few days earlier, but when I checked later, they didn't seem to be disturbed, however what I and the vet cannot figure out, is when the hell did she get to them.  Effects from eating snail pellets generally show within 30 minutes of ingestion, but Latte had been inside for over 1 hour when we went to bed, and at least 6 hours when I woke to her panting.  The only thing I can think of, is that one of the cats may have eaten the pellets, and not been affected, and when they have used the litter box, the stupid dog has eaten the poo.  It's not usual for her to leave my bed, but it's possible that she did that night without me realising.  Wherever and however she got them though, it affected her badly, and she had to stay at the vets until 5 pm that evening, and was given a saline drip.  The poison in snail pellets has neurological effects, and Latte probably had a seizure, which is what is likely to have woken me.  She was still trembling badly when we were at the vets, but during the day that lessened which was a good sign.  As she didn't worsen, we avoided have to put her under a general anaesthetic to give her an enema and pump her stomach.  She eventually started drinking and her trembling became her normal nervous shake.  The vet also found an ulcer on her right cornea that had possibly come from a scratch, and also that she probably has "dry eye"  As she seems to produce copious tears that overflow, I certainly hadn't picked that one up, but the vet seems to think that the "overflow" is because her eyes are irritated from lack of normal tears.  That will need to be checked and confirmed by my usual vet, and will probably need ongoing treatment for life. 

Latte was very subdued when she first came home, and even yesterday she was not her usual self, just sat on the settee, and basically stayed where I put her, not like her at all.  This morning she finally seems to be getting back to her normal self, jumping and running in circles when I asked her if she wanted to go out (for toilet break).  I won't let her go out without me, so for now at least she can't stay outside to play.  I think it will be a long time before I feel confident in letting her outside without me, or even letting her go around the house without me being able to see her and what she is eating.  My concern at the moment is what will I do with her when I leave to go to my daughters on Wednesday as no-one will be home during the day then.  The MOTH and/or #1 son will have to give me daily reports on her to keep me from worrying too much.  Another thing, the emergency vet does not allow accounts, so I had to  pay all fees before I was able to bring her home, which descimated my account, so I'm seriously broke now.  Thankfully, my own vet will allow me to pay later, so I can still take her for her check up on Monday.

The beloved mutt, taken just a few minutes ago.

Hopefully I'll be getting back to knitting content very soon.  Take care all, and happy knitting.

Well, I did manage to fit more in for dinner.  We ended up going to a French restaurant with some friends, and it was very enjoyable.  The MOTH and I shared some Escargot for entree, the friends shared some crumbed brains; I can hear some of you saying yuk, but I love them so had them as my main course. 
Peter, Deb, Ron and I.  The little donkey at the end of the table was given to us by Peter and Deb "to keep us company when we are home in bed alone".  Press it's hand and it gives a big sigh, then goes on to snore.......even the body moves as if it's breathing. lol  Everyone loves it, and the waitress kept pressing its hand, having many of the other diners in stitches too.  I've named him Eeyore, 'cause that's who he looks like.

More photo's from the Eureka tower.......
Looking from the outside viewing platform towards "The Edge" as the room starts to move out.

"The Edge" is now almost fully extended.  Notice the the walls are opaque, so you can't see in or out at this stage.

Fully extended now, and the walls are clear.  Unfortunately I wasn't able to get a photo without our reflections covering the images of the people inside, but you still get the idea I hope.

Our "beautiful" Yarra river, fondly known as the "upside down" river, you know, the water is on the bottom and the mud on the top......due to its brown colour.  No blue for us, that is far too common.

Talking of blue, for those of you into tennis, and I know a few of you (or at least  your partners) are, the Aussie open tennis has announced a change in the colour of the courts.  For the past 20 years, since the tournament left Kooyong (and grass) to go to Melbourne Park, the courts have been green rebound ace. They have now changed to a plexicushion surface and the new colour scheme is two tone blue, supposedly for better vision of ball placement for players, officials and even viewers.  I will reserve my judgement for now.

Well, after several months of talking about going over to Perth to visit my "gawjus" daughter, I am finally going.  Flight is booked for next Wednesday, 10th October, and I will be staying till 24th October.  I am really looking forward to being there with Nattychick and the little chicks.  I will have to leave home at around 0445 to get to the airport by the time needed for booking in, unless we stay at one of the motels close to the airport.  We'll see how the money pans out. (I'm a pensioner now you know lol). I am going with a budget carrier, so no in-flight movie or anything.  You even have to purchase food and beverages, so I'll probably take my own.  As there is no entertainment, and I will be on my own, I am sure I'll be able to snooze so I won't be too tired when I get there.  Perth is 2 hours behind Melbourne, and the last time I went there I can remember wanting to watch an in-house movie at the hotel, scheduled to start at 2200 (10 PM).  That of course would be midnight Melbourne time, and like this time, the MOTH and I had caught a very early flight.  I got to watch the first couple of minutes before I fell asleep. hehe  Needless to say, I hadn't gotten any sleep on that flight, for apart from the in-flight entertainment, we were also part of a large group so there was a lot of socialising.

Well, that's all folks.  Happy knitting.