3 Paws Saloon Attic

Fergie · Senior Member

Hi! How are you?

valkricry · Guru

Oh, Fergie...if you were closer I'd say let's have a cup of coffee and a good cry over work. I don't understand 9/10ths of the stuff going on. Something like 36 - 38 people were let go. The unit where I am use to be like 20 employees and now we aren't even 16, and 5 of those are working out of another school. They cut hours across the board (even managers!). Everyone is expected to do more with less time and manpower. It's crazy.

My position/title is baker, but I'm doing pizzas, fries and Boscos. confuse Now, the girl who use to do pizzas had 2 to 3 people helping to tray it up and add the toppings. We now have me. The other girl who did the potatoes had 4 to 5 people helping and we have me. So what these 8 -10 people had 4 plus hours to get the setup done in, I have about 3.5... that's like 120 trays of potatoes and 45 pizzas I do. Then I get to bake them all (oh joy). Now, I have to give credit where it's due; my immediate manager about had a coronary when she found this all out. (Ah, yes one of those things the upper echelon does without consulting those who actually know what goes on. They admitted to me they hadn't given the prep work any thought when deciding I could do it, yet won't do anything to remedy the situation. ) She does the best she can to try and help me, even though she's almost overwhelmed herself. She doesn't 'see' one of our guys sneak over to help me top the pizzas. She doesn't 'see' the fact I have a drink sitting in my work sink (usually a coffee 'smuggled' over to me by another co-worker), or that another couple of co-workers will help get the product out to the floor or into warmers. My favorite expression lately is, "oh since you're headed that way - could you drop this off?" Sometimes I get a stunned look - but they've come to realize they're really helping themselves. By the end of my shift, I am flipping tired, as you can imagine. Well, everyone is...

Water saving tips; one really excellent one I can think of is use the water you cooked vegetables with to water your plants once it's cooled off. It adds lots of nutrients to the soil. The same holds true with left over coffee, and you can also mulch the grounds into the garden for extra 'oomph'. Wash dishes once a day instead of 3. I hope that helps a little bit.

Fergie · Senior Member

Poor Val, you must be worn to a frazzle by the end of the day, both mentally and physically. What a good thing that your boss lady is purposely wearing blinkers, where you are concerned. I know the "big wigs" never consider little things like preparation time. Do they think you wave a magic wand? Jerks!!
Isn't there a possibility that you could find employment at a regular bakery?

If only I had a teleporter... I would be over there in a flash. I could bring my foot massage gadget (foot warmer/massage - Mother's Day present from Nicky) for you to use, And give you a shoulder rub while you poured out your woes and drank coffee. Aah, if only!

Good advice on the water saving tips Val, thanks. Only, my plants aren't going to even smell my veggie water. All water from veggies or pasta gets saved as stock for my dog's food. Dry dog food is a bit above our means, so I make my own. I cook a big pot every third day; veg off-cuts, bone meal from the butcher (we get that free of charge), chicken or meat off-cuts all boiled up together. Then I add a few cups of maize meal, which is relatively cheap here. Okay, Cleo is a bit overweight, but she was like that when we adopted her over a year ago.
If only someone could make me a device to store water from the shower/wash basin that transfers it to the toilet cistern.

valkricry · Guru

Jerome is in a full on mood today, so I'm hiding out in my room, more or less.

Saving water from the wash basin shouldn't be too hard, just place a pot in the sink, instead of going down the drain water collects in it. I suppose the same would work with a shower. If your shower is very large, you could put your potted plants in there with you. Then they get watered as you shower. Keep showers short, like under 5 minutes. Turn off the faucet when you brush your teeth. Little things like that can save a lot of water.

Yeah, when I get home from work I'm completely knackered. Feels like I'm coming down with a cold too. All sniffly and sneezy. Just what I need - not.

Fergie · Senior Member

Hope your sniffles were only a bout of hay-fever, Val.

Still only a spit and a spot of rain last Saturday night. They are threatening to bring in water shedding if folks do not reduce their water usage. The "water police" have been handing out fines left, right and center in Johannesburg to people filling swimming pools etc. It makes me so cross that some people have got no savvy, or are just so self-centered. Our country is in crisis, but do they care? Apparently not!

On to a lighter subject......
Last week Nicky, her boyfriend and his son, plus Shenay and the dogs all spent it in Ramsgate. That is a village on the south coast of Natal. They rented a beautiful holiday flat with only an expanse of lawn between the front porch and the Indian Ocean. Apparently they all had a wonderful time. Nicky's only gripe was that she couldn't let her dogs out without them being on a leash - no fences. I am adding a couple of pics which were sent to me.

valkricry · Guru

Sounds like lots are in denial about the water shortage, Fergie. I hope the water shedding doesn't come to pass, but it easily might if they won't listen.

Shenay looked really happy in her picture. Dang, she's growing like a weed.

Work has gotten a little easier because I finally convinced the DM that I NEED help. It was kind of funny (in a warped way). I wasn't feeling well and he was trying to talk to me about *one more thing* they wanted me to do. I looked up at him and said, "Take this the way I mean it and not how it sounds; I don't feel well so , right now, I could care less about what you want me to do. I'm swamped and it's all I can do to remain standing." He got all concerned then, and said he thought Ron was helping me, I shot back with HOW, he was running all over too. Bright fellow doesn't even remember what they've given poor Ron to do, so I tally off a list, and added that I didn't think either one of us had been able to take a full lunch since I'd been there. He looked at me and said, "we can change that. It's more important that Ron be able to help you between lines." So Ron got a 'new' job, instead of the myriad of things they had him doing, he comes back and pulls racks for me, gets stock or whatever I need, and in the morning when he comes in, he sets his area and comes help me tray the stuff and do the pizzas. So now, there's 2 of us instead of 1 (still a lot less then they use to have - but hey...).

Fergie · Senior Member

Yay Val !! A small victory for you. Better than nothing, eh? At least you should have less stress now. Hope things are running smoother now.

We have had rain for four consecutive nights now. What a welcome relief. Don't know how much has fallen in the catchment areas, but my garden is clapping hands, LOL. I only have to water my seed trays which are under cover. Soon I shall have to transplant the seedlings into my hanging basket, but dang, I can't remember which are chilies and which are capsicums - the seedlings all look the same.

Shenay is burgeoning at such an alarming rate, I just can't keep up. Her measurements I took last month are out of date already. I made her a pair of shorts, but when she tried them on she couldn't get them over her hips. I thought I had made them a size larger than she was....... well, you know what 'thought' did, eh?

I have another puzzle for you Val. Some time ago, Ray planted what I thought was a type of reeds in our under-cover garden. Turns out to be something totally different. One day I noticed a beautiful little flower on it. By the next day, it was curling in on itself. By the third day it had curled up completely. Luckily, I called Ray on the first day to photograph it. I am posting the pic for you to see. Have you any idea what this may be?

valkricry · Guru

Fergie, sorry this took so long but I really had no idea what your flower was. So, I posted it to my timeline and my nephew (and several others) identified it as a Fortnight Lily, also known as an African Lily. Interestingly enough despite the common name, Fortnight lily, this is actually an iris.

Emotionally I have been struggling, I have 2 brothers in hospital with heart attacks, and a close friend also in the hospital. On a happy note: my older brother, Kevin has been moved from the ICU to a regular room.

My friend, Ruthie, was an accidental medicine overdose. She's 75 and had simply forgotten she'd taken her pain med already. Narco (one of the pain meds she takes) will do that to you. It can make you very loopy. At least it looks like she'll be ok.

Fergie · Senior Member

Val, I hope your emotional stress has dissipated, or at least, lessened significantly. I sincerely hope that your brothers and your friend are out of the woods, and well on their respective ways to recovery.

Val, you are a marvel! Thank you so much for finding the name(s) for our flower. Would you believe, since then, I have seen dozens blooming all over the place; in Nicky's garden (she didn't even know it till we saw them), around the parking lot of our CBD, and various other places - crazy, eh? I believe the common name, around here, is African Iris.

I must apologize for MY late reply. I haven't been feeling up to scratch these past few weeks; still not in great condition. I developed what I thought was an abscess in my lower jaw - swollen cheek, fat lower lip, and intense pain. After two lots of antibiotic the swelling subsided. I decided to have the offending tooth extracted. Much to my amazement, there was no residual abscess dangling from the extracted tooth. I have a gum infection! The dentist showed me the ring of infection around the tooth. I have had to stock up on anti-bacterial mouthwashes, etc.

So, consequently, I have been doing very little that required any amount of concentration of late. Hopefully, that will change in the near future.

valkricry · Guru

Your dentist couldn't tell the difference between an infected gum and an abscessed tooth??? confuse (Actually, I've no idea if it's easy to or not.) Poor you!

On your flower, the instance of learning something new (usually a word or name) then seeing/hearing it often actually has a name. It's called the Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon . How's that for trivia??? lol

Halloween seemed magical to me as both brothers were home from hospital. It doesn't matter that we're miles and miles apart, just knowing they were home made me happy. Although to me it seemed they left Kevin out too soon. He was in the ICU for about a week, then in a regular room maybe 24 hours, then sent home that Saturday. (Later I learned he had signed himself out.) He was home about 4 days and had to be packed off to a residential care facility. Long term medical care. At home hospice wasn't intense enough for his needs, and poor Laurie is in no shape to nurse him 24/7. The doctor is not very hopeful about his recovery. The feeling I get is 6 months,maybe less. I want to be wrong, but seldom am.

With the Cubs winning the World series, my younger brother is over the moon, as are many others. But in his case, it's given him a little added spark. Badly needed since the heart attack.

I'm told Ruth may be coming home soon. Fingers crossed.

valkricry · Guru

My brother, Kevin passed away this morning...

lil-wolfie · Guru

sorry to hear that val..i hope for best for all yall..

Fergie · Senior Member

Our deepest sympathies, Val. Our hearts goes out to you.

valkricry · Guru

Thanks for your condolences.

Have been making arrangements for his cremation. Apparently there are some forms I need to sign, since this is all taking place in another state, they'll be mailed to me, and I'll need to have them notarized.

I was very surprised that because of his size cremation is almost double the cost! It could have been a little cheaper, but Laurie wanted his ashes. Understandable...

Because Laurie is 'only his common law' wife, it's a bunch of legal mumbo jumbo to protect the mortuary from being sued, I guess.

Fergie · Senior Member

There is Always a lot of forms to sign with a cremation; at least here in SA. I have had to deal with two.
Cremation costs go by size/weight? I didn't know that. So, if it were a child, it would be less? And you pay extra if you want the ashes? I didn't know that either. I wonder if it is the same here; never asked.

OMW. if things were done by post here, (or did you mean e-mail) the deal would only go through next year, if you were lucky. I posted a letter to Kimberley (a matter of 4-5 hours away) in January - the lady still hasn't received the letter.

Hope all is done and dusted by now, Val, with only memories remaining.

BTW, if you don't hear from me in a while, don't worry. I am running out of MB fast, also I will be house/baby sitting for Nicky from 20th - 27th of this month, so will be incommunicado. Her (girl) friend is taking her to a game farm, as a birthday present.

valkricry · Guru

I've dealt with cremation before too, Fergie. It's the 'notarized' part that's new to me. With my dad, I dealt with it over the phone, giving oral permission for them to sign my name. But perhaps that was 'legal' due to the fact that there were witnesses there, one of which I was well acquainted with. With my son, well I was there so... yeah.

They did email the forms to me, but are also snail mailing them. Either way, still need to get them notarized. Our postal system is fairly reliable and can be quick.

Cremation cost doesn't exactly go by size/weight. It might even be different from state to state or crematory to crematory - I really don't know. But apparently there is a base price from x pounds up to xxx pounds, and then there is an extra charge for anything over that. In Kevin's case, because of his largeness it took twice as many people to move the body, and I guess it takes longer to turn them into ashes, so fuel costs are like doubled or something. Laurie (his common-law wife) was kind of in shock still at the time, and didn't catch the entire breakdown of the cost. Because Oregon only recognizes her as a 'life partner' she has no legal standing, which is why I have to sign the authorization papers. With the ashes, I'm not sure the cost might be for the container(s) to put them in perhaps. I don't recall being charged for my son or father, and as I said, Laurie was understandably a bit disjointed on her understanding.

Don't worry - you have fun with Shenay.

Fergie · Senior Member

Val, and all other US readers, hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

I arrived home last evening, having survived the house/baby sitting...LOL. Nicky claims to have had a lovely, relaxing time at the game farm. She took plenty of pics of the animals there and had lots of stories to tell. They were awoken every morning at the crack of dawn by a guinea fowl knocking on the front door - demanding to be fed. Bush-buck were eating out of her hand and a meerkat (think you would call it a ground-squirrel) crawled down her blouse and didn't want to come out. So yeah, Nicky was in her element with the animals. They also swam in geothermal pools and drank lots of champagne, LOL.

Shenay and I had a good time together. She was a big help with cooking dinner and hanging up washing. Exams are over and she is confident that she has passed. She will be going to grade 7. Only a week of school left for this year, then the six-week Christmas holidays. Ray will fetch her on Saturday on his way home from work; he starts work on 1 Dec.

valkricry · Guru

Sounds like Nicky had fun on her holiday. aww

High five to Shenay on getting to 7th grade! Where has the time gone?

Thanksgiving was alright. Quiet. I went to my daughter's for an untraditional meal. Instead of turkey, they had pork. No breads or sweets. I didn't care. It was good just to be with her for awhile.

Fergie · Senior Member

It is always good to spend time with our children, eh Val?

Nicky sent me pics of her game farm stay, so thought I would share a couple with you.

There is Nicky with the meerkat on her shoulder; then one of her feeding the buck at the front door of their chalet. There is also one of her stroking a caracal in the rehabilitation center - lucky girl!

lil-wolfie · Guru

staying dry indoors while it's soaking wet outside today.it's been raining since,just before 10pm last night.and it's still raining.we've gotten over 5 1/2 inches of rain now,since the day before thanksgiving..there's what's known as a pump house yard,just to one side of the house.(use to be a well and pump house there and all..it's now looking like a small pond in one area there now..

Fergie · Senior Member

Wolfie, I wish we were having your weather here. It is scorching hot, with not a cloud in the sky - it is 8:20am.
Last Wednesday night we had the most amazing electrical storm. I was riveted to my workroom window for absolute ages, just watching the multiple lightening strikes and waiting for the resounding crashes of thunder. It was the most magical aerial display I have seen since leaving Kimberley in 1994. I love electrical storms - just to witness, not to be out in them.
The next afternoon, we had hail. That lasted all of 5 minutes - only small stones, thank goodness. We haven't had a drop of rain since then, with the oppressive heat (107F), my spinach is wilting and my roses are scorched and drooping.

Well, hubby is off to work - won't see him again till the night of 24th. This year he is approximately 50 miles away. Not so far actually, but the traffic he would have to pass through daily is horrendous with a couple of high accident zones (usually with huge delay times) on the way. His boss has found him an apartment only 15 minutes away from the mall where he is to work. I am sure Shenay and I will have a great time looking after each other, LOL.

valkricry · Guru

We had our first snowfall yesterday - 3 to 5 inches of the white stuff. The trees looked like they were in bloom with snowflakes! It was really quite pretty.

I had a very nice surprise today - the lady that gives me a lift into work gave me a new-to-me winter coat!!! It's really nice with a fur trimmed hood, and it covers my tush too! I almost cried. She was with me last Friday when my coat died (the zipper decided it no longer wanted to hold shut). She knows that when they transfer me back to the main unit (possibly the week of the 12th) I might end up walking and she wanted to be sure I'd be warm. aww

Fergie · Senior Member

How kind/generous of that lady, to give you a winter coat. It sounds really cozy! Walking to work in snow sounds like no fun at all - hope that doesn't happen.

Doesn't school take a break at this time of year? I am glad that I didn't go to school in the US; not taking a break in the festive season would have been devastating to me. December/January break is the longest in our school year, usually about 6 weeks. I never, ever, went to school on my birthday - one of the joys of being born in the first half of January.

Do you think you will be having a white Christmas?

valkricry · Guru

Yes, Fergie, our break will start Dec.22 running through Jan. 5. Funny that you mention snow, as we are in the middle of a winter storm watch. I've heard everything from 7 to 12 inches are possible. And of course our furnace is on the blink. They simply can't get to us before Monday afternoon, but they did send over a space heater - so not too cold here. Been without heat since Thursday.

lil-wolfie · Guru

well,i been a lil busy putting a glass door cabinet together,the last 2 days.it was/is a pain put together set-up.now it's in place,and with canned foods in it.and all i have left to do with it.is to put together the 3 draws for it,and put them into place.in which they'll go across the bottom of it.

valkricry · Guru

Those look really nice, Wolfie.

Well after 5 days of no heat, the furnace is finally working. None too soon either, as they are predicting negatives for the next couple of days. They're saying the Thursday it'll be a -26 windchill. We'll see.

It's below freezing as it is, 16 F as I write this, they say the high will be like 19. Grateful I have a ride into work - the unit I'm at for now, is 3 miles away. A bit cool for that long of a hike.

Fergie · Senior Member

Wow, Wolfie, that looks pretty good. Well done! Hmm.....Can I nab some of those canned goods?

Gosh! You make me shiver, Val, just to think about your temperatures. It is a bit cooler here today, only 85F.
What luck that your furnace is working before the big freeze - And, that you still have a lift to work.

I was in tears yesterday. Shen asked me to make her a dress for Christmas day - she picked out the material and pattern. She was Sooo excited and watched my progress eagerly as it started taking shape. I was about 80% finished when the machine (inherited from Angel) jammed - with the dress caught under the needle. I tried all sorts of things to get it unstuck, but to no avail. I resorted to Google, which helped a bit. I unscrewed the needle, releasing the dress - Phew! (I had visions of cutting the dress to release it.) But the machine remained tightly jammed. I burst into tears! Shenay looked so crestfallen, but tried to comfort me, (bless her heart) by saying she would find something else to wear. I maintained that I would finish it, by hand.
Anyway, last night before going to sleep, I asked Angel to help. This morning, just before 6, I was up and at the machine, turned the wheel backwards and VOILA! - it released! I couldn't stop saying "Thank you", over and over again. Happy ending; Shen will have her dress for Christmas day.

lil-wolfie · Guru

im glad to hear that you got heat now,val..

glad that things are better with the sewing machine fergie..im sure she'll out right love every stitch of the new dress..

i also cooked up some turkey and veggie soup during my breaks from the new cabinet.it turned out better then i thought it would.we each ate a bowl of it.the rest got canned..i think mom loved it more then i did..LOL..now im playing catch-up on washing dishs and house work,seeing how the cabinet and cooking put me behind on it..got xmas present to wrap.that includes locate boxs,bows,and other stuff for them..

Fergie · Senior Member

Mission accomplished!! You were correct, Wolfie, the delight on that young girls' face made it all worth while. I was bear-hugged and kissed numerous times. The dress fits perfectly, and looks good on her.

You seem to be quite the chef, Wolfie. I have never even thought of making turkey soup, perhaps because turkey isn't so popular in this part of the world. The only time we usually see turkey is at Christmas time; and then it is always out of my price range. Chicken is the cheapest 'meat' here.
Good luck with the dishes and present wrapping.

My house looks like a disaster zone. Dust and pieces of thread almost everywhere. I have let house-cleaning slide since hubby has been away - too busy sewing, cooking and entertaining Shenay. I will have to knuckle down in the next two days as Nicky is coming for lunch on Sunday. Fortunately, all my present wrapping has been completed.

valkricry · Guru

MMMM...soup!!! Nothing can beat a good homemade soup. It seems to me that chicken is the cheapest 'meat' worldwide, at least from what my friends have told me. I guess they're the most adaptable of stock animals. As well as the most economical to raise...

Have an unexpected day off as school was cancelled due to the cold; the windchill is expected to reach -26f! At 5:30 AM our temp is -3 with a 'feels like' -18.

I took a personal day yesterday because I had an appointment with LIHEAP (Illinois heating and energy assistance program). Most states have this program to help those in need help pay their utilities, and I desperately need the help. But even if you qualify, there's no guarantee you'll get it, sometimes they just run out of money. I fully expected not to have an answer right off the bat. I don't claim to understand the complete process, but I know usually anything government ran takes like a month to hear the result - just like you can't pick and choose the time or day of the appointment.

Anyway, several things happened that made me want to cry. A) Missing work means missing a day's pay, and I really, really can't afford that. However I was granted a personal day (I get paid anyway). B) the friend I had tried to arrange a ride with couldn't do it, but SHE arranged for someone she knew to do it!!! C) They enrolled me in a new program they have called PIPP - which , rather than the one time aid gives you help year round!!! (Yeah - I got my answer right then!!!) If it works the way they said, it's pretty exciting. It's based on a percentage of what you earn. You pay X amount and they pay X amount to the power and heat companies. Apparently (since both your accounts must be with certain companies) the companies 'forgive' charges up to a certain percent so that the agreed amount is enough to cover. Since they used the previous year's usage to figure it out, it would be noticed if you suddenly went crazy like cranking your heat to 80. AND when my arrangement starts to expire, I'll be sent a letter to apply for the help again! Then they gave me a box of light bulbs and a surge protector (energy efficient kind). OH! I almost forgot the amount I'm past due on now, will be FORGIVEN!!!

I was so thankful, I told the young woman helping me, I knew it wasn't PC but gave her a big hug. She looked seriously surprised lol

That's wonderful about the dress, Fergie, you simply must post a picture!

Fergie · Senior Member

How wonderful Val, a good start to the festive season and a weight lifted from your shoulders. How nice to be given a box of globes too, here in SA, they are rather pricey and surge protectors cost mega bucks.
We have a similar system here, they call it "Indigent Services", we also have to reapply for it yearly.

Ray arrived home safely on Christmas Eve, tired from his (almost) month long 9 -6, 7 days a week job; he is still recuperating. This was his twelfth year doing the Santa job in malls, and his sixth year doing the "Mama Magic Expo" (a 4 day stint). LOL, the "Mama Magic" people book him, specifically, at the beginning of the year already. He must be doing something right, eh?

Christmas Day dawned rainy and much cooler than usual. We didn't allow that to damp our festive spirit. Shenay was just so excited. We arrived at Nicky's home before 11am to find the other invited guest already there. She is another tenant of the complex (and Nicky's second in command as chairlady) who would otherwise be spending the day alone - her hubby is a sound engineer for a sports channel. He was sent down to the coast to do a broadcast of a five-day cricket match.

Nicky put out a wondrous array of 'starters'. LOL, so much that my gammon was eaten as an after-thought. The rain was light, so we were still able to eat out on the patio. After the meal we went inside and Ray gamely put on his Santa suit once more to have the traditional photo of him and Shen. Shen then took on the usual job of Santa's helper, handing out our token gifts. Naturally, there was a big pile for her.

It was a delightful day with much chatter and laughter. We did however, drink a toast to absent loved ones.

Shen proudly showed off her Christmas dress!

Val, the last two pics are of the 'special' blouse I made.

valkricry · Guru

via GIPHY

Fergie · Senior Member

The holidays are over and a new school year has begun. Little Miss Nerd, (Shen) says grade 7 is awesome. Her exam marks have been released; 91% for math, 90% for social sciences - the rest of her marks are in the 70s-80s%, so she is rather chuffed.

Hope y'all had a good New Year?

valkricry · Guru

Well, we'll see if that works... lol

That's wonderful that Shen is getting such good marks! Let's hope she keeps it up.

New Year is looking ok here. Had some rough spots. I'm disputing some transactions on my debit card, and it looks to be sorted shortly.

via GIPHY

valkricry · Guru

My, we just keep getting quieter, and quieter... Shhh! What was that!? Oh! Me typing! lol

Hope all is well with everyone.

lil-wolfie · Guru

we been a lil more busy then what we're normally are this part of the month...had to replace 3 tires on the car..which is a unexpected expense we didn't need this month...

now my mom is in the hospital since friday night..her blood pressure and heart beat were way to low..in which they got both up to par.but she had another episode of to low blood pressure again yesterday.in which the nurse had trouble keeping her awake..now here i am,at home with my 2 dogs.with a rain/thunder storm moving in..

valkricry · Guru

I think it's fairly much the same with everyone, Wolfie. Money runs off faster than it comes in. Just when I think I've got things squared, BAM! hmm Robbing Peter to pay Paul.

It's an uphill battle, lots face.

Nothing much going on here. Work is kicking my tush, lots of times I'm asleep before 8PM, Of course getting up at 3 AM might play into that. lol

Fergie · Senior Member

Sorry guys, ran out of data, but it has also been pretty quiet here lately.

Wolfie, hope your mom is up to par soon. And as Val says, money seems to be a problem all over.

Val, getting up at 3am, plus hard work, would tire anyone out. What we don't do to earn a $!?

We woke up to torrential rain this morning. Heard on the radio that one place near us had 150mm in 15 minutes - Now that is a lot of water! There is a warning out for localized flooding in 5 provinces, of which ours is one. More heavy rain tomorrow they say. I guess we are getting a side-swipe from the tropical cyclone that hit Mozambique.

valkricry · Guru

It's been a hard few months here. I mean really hard. Dealing with an older brother's passing, and my youngest brother having a quadruple bypass done has not made life any easier. Then to top it off someone is playing very uncool games with my financial well being. I ended up closing my bank accounts and opening new ones, and having to change credit card accounts as well. A very large pain in the tukus.

lil-wolfie · Guru

moms home from that hospital stay.and doing ok.she had fluid issue with her lungs.but getting cleared up.now we're under way with getting house repairs done to the house..got a section of floor,just inside the front door repaired.all i gotta do now.is to finesh getting stuff out of the living room,kitchen,and bathroom,that i can can do my self.on account we're getting new flooring and new carpet

valkricry · Guru

Sounds like your home is getting a serious over haul, Wolfie. Bet it'll be real nice when it's done.

Today they're having a Celebration of Life ceremony for my brother Kevin out in California. He passed last November. Of course I do not have the money to go, and the other two siblings health won't allow them to (nor do they have funding either.) Kevin would understand, and I think it's sweet of his friends to do this for him. I asked his friend, Mary who will be there if I wrote something if she'd read it. she said she would. I thought I'd share it here.

Writing this has proven harder than I initially thought. I wanted to share what it was like growing up with Kevin as my older brother. I wanted to illustrate that even though his birth family is not physically present, we are in spirit. I wanted to express my and his remaining siblings' gratitude to each and every one of you for having been in his life, for giving him company on the path he chose, no matter how long or short your paths converged. Kevin knew and understood the worth of real friends, and he treasured you all. He didn't have much in the way of material wealth, but he considered himself enriched by your shared travels on Life's path.

When you come from a big family, it's easy to get lost in the shuffle. Even though I was 5 years younger, and a girl, Kevin made sure I never got too lost, that I knew it was Okay if I saw things differently, and that my thoughts and feelings mattered. Not that he was always angelic, but he was my Marshmallow Warrior. That is to say, even though he appeared to be very laid back, if someone hurt someone he cared for, he would make that person very, very sorry.

I remember when I was quite young, Kevin introducing me to monster movies via TV. Today, I can revel in the campiness of those old black and white films, but when you're just a little kid, they're REAL and terrifying. We'd sit there in the flickering black and white television light watching the werewolf, or whatever that week's monster flavor was, with me trying hard to be brave like Dorian, who was 4 years my senior, and denying that I was scared every time Kevin would ask. Of course, Dorian, being a bratty big brother, would wait and at the scariest part, would suddenly clamp his hand on my shoulder or jab me in the side, making me jump and scream, which he thought was just hilarious. Kevin, in turn, would ask him what he'd done to which Dorian would laugh he scared me. Kevin would growl, punching him in the arm, "YOU don't scare her!" Then turning to me he'd suddenly yell "BOO" causing me to shriek yet again, and he'd laugh saying that was his job.

I mentioned coming from a big family. All told there were 8 of us kids, with the eldest being 23 years older than the youngest. During most of our youth, there were 5 of us at home. Because of her health, our mother couldn't often make it to school activities, and if my Dad was working late or at night it meant no family at your function, because Mom didn't drive. When I was in 4th grade, my class was putting on a play that I had written, directed and also acted in. As you can imagine it was a huge deal for me. As luck would have it, that night my dad had to work a double shift. I tried not to show it, but of course I was upset at this turn of events. It felt really weird as different kids pointed out their families in the audience to know I had no one there, but as they say, the show must go on. Final curtain call and parents are swarming the stage telling their particular darling what a good job they'd done. A few did stop and told me it was a really good play, and did I really write it myself, when I hear this familiar voice say, "Hey! There's my sister the star!" I should have known my Marshmallow Warrior wouldn't let me down. He was just that kind of big brother.

I could go on; there are just so many memories. Some good, some not so good, but that's life for you.

Thank you, Mary, for giving this voice, so that I could participate in this celebration of his life in some small way. His life is truly worth celebrating. When anyone of you thinks of him I hope it is with a smile, he really would like that.

lil-wolfie · Guru

great story about your family val..sounds like that you have some good brothers there..

well.we got the flooring and carpet done.got through easter sunday ok.mom ended up in the hospital again.she hasn't been getting enough oxygen problem.they have her on a devilbiss 5 liter oxygen concentrator,for when she's at home.in which the air line is long enough,where she can go from the livingroom,to any other part of the home.and not have to take the concentrator with her..and she has a portable air tanks to use when we go some where,and during power outages..she's doing better since they got her set up on oxygen.

valkricry · Guru

Sorry to hear your Mom hasn't been doing so well, Wolfie. Always seems to be something, doesn't it? But I guess that's life. At least she is home and that's great news about the oxygen (being portable and all).

My allergies have been really bad this year. I pretty much stay broken out in hives. If it wasn't so close to the end of the school year, they'd probably make me get a doctor's note to prove it isn't a contagion of some sort. furious It's just so purty.... (sarcasm).

After this week, there's only 5 more weeks of school. Everyone is stressed that works the kitchen. We haven't heard if our contract has gotten picked back up yet, so we don't know if we have jobs next year. Rumor is we'll need to re-bid on our positions as well, because they plan on condensing the freshman kitchen with ours. They haven't told us how many positions will be available; will we ALL have jobs or just some of us? Will the new kitchen be ready? Questions, questions, questions....

Fergie · Senior Member

Sorry for the long absence. As you see, I have taken the plunge and logged in despite the warning signs on my PC.
If my calculations are correct, you are now on Spring break, Val. I hope you have some clarity on your work situation now? I hope things are hunky dory for you.

As you know, Val, I have had two mini vacations, LOL, though I did take my sewing machine with. Did mending for Nicky, her boyfriend and the lady that helps run her complex. Since then I have been doing sewing at home, plus doing some writing.
I was opening the motor -gates for Ray one day when the guy next door stuck his head over the wall to greet. Said he hadn't seen me around for a while and wondered if I had gone away again. Told him I had been busy sewing, then showed him an example of my work. He got all excited, asked if he may show his wife my work. What the heck, sure, it's only a pair of shorts. He came back with the shorts, asking how much I charged. I though, "Oh no!" his wife is about three times my size. I told him I only sew for family, and thought that was that. Next day our door-bell rings, Ray answers then comes in with an arm full of clothes. Mending from next door. Says they will pay for me to fix the clothes; what am I to say? I landed up charging R10 per item - that would be under $1 each. They paid up with a smile and seemed really satisfied with my work. I have squirreled away that extra bit of cash - keep it for a rainy day. Hope more comes my way, just not zips - I am really bad at putting them in.

lil-wolfie · Guru

hope the allergies get better val.

sounds like that you did all the good on the sewing fergie..

it looks lie it's my mom heart.it skips 1 to 3 beats. pluss,it seems to stop every once in a while.so she'll be going in to see of there's any vein blockage or not,first . then a pace maker to help out..

mom stayed with one of my nephew while i had me a camping trip..

s36.photobucket.com/user/lawnwolfie/library/camp%20out?sort=3&page=1

i've started up on my home canning.just canned 8 pint jars of beans n spam.i'll be getting all the ingredients for chicken soup next month..

Fergie · Senior Member

Wolfie, I have to ask .. Is your mom on any thyroid medication? A good few years ago, I had the same problem, it scared the sh@t out of me. Once it stopped for more than six beats; thought I was dead for sure. It turned out, my thyroid medication dosage was too high, or too often. Once that was adjusted, everything was fine.
I hope your mom's case is something as simple as that.

Tried to look at your camping pics, Wolfie, but the site tells me there is an error. *Sad*

Good luck with your canning. My hubby has been pickling beetroot - curried and spicy. He has also been making some of his famous 'hot stuff' with chili (habaneros) and garlic - A secret recipe which folks around here are begging him for. Lol, no dice; he is not giving up his secret.

valkricry · Guru

Same here with the pictures, Wolfie. Says the page doesn't exist.

Had a nasty scare at work, Thursday when construction workers hit a gas pipe. Was still early about 6:30 AM, so not many students were around, thank God. Plus no one was seriously hurt, and no explosion! YAY! They were able to turn it off before anything truly awful happened. Plus someone had the presence of mind to run into the school and pull the fire alarm, so we all got out, before the fumes got too bad.

We did end up sending one of the managers (pregnant) to the hospital as she was throwing up like mad. Thankfully, she and baby are fine, and a co-worker with a heart condition was sent home. Most of us developed minor headaches/nausea, but it was deemed safe so we finished our shift.

Speaking of shifts, only 3 more full days left, and then it's half days until June 6th, when summer break starts!

Fergie, tell Ray he simply MUST share that recipe with me! I love hot stuff!!!

-- Edited by valkricry on Saturday 27th of May 2017 11:32:34 AM

lil-wolfie · Guru

i thought i had posted a new link..anyhow.here it is... s36.photobucket.com/user/lawnwolfie/library/camp%20out?sort=3&page=1

im not sure of what all meds she takes now..

my canning turned out good..

im glad that everything turned out good for all of you val.mainly for the pregnant mom..

valkricry · Guru

Still says error, Wolfie.

lil-wolfie · Guru

ok..here's another try..

http://s36.photobucket.com/user/lawnwolfie/library/camp out?sort=3&page=1

-- Edited by lil-wolfie on Monday 29th of May 2017 11:42:06 AM

-- Edited by lil-wolfie on Monday 29th of May 2017 01:09:06 PM