3 Paws Saloon Attic

Awww, look at you, T-Rex, making friends    Of course you're going to be around for a long, long time.  You know you and Jadeite are in my prayers too.

Not 100% positive, but I thought I heard gun shots about 4AM, quite nearby.  I mean, the first 2 sounded as if they were in front of the house, and I think 3 or 4 rapid ones from maybe 1/2 a block away. I'm hoping I'm wrong, but shots have a fairly distinctive sound.  Haven't heard anything else, nor seen 'search' lights from patrol cars, so...I don't know for sure, and may never know. 

Not looking forwards to work today. I already know it's going to be a bugger. Day hasn't even started and I'm already behind.  Folks can't leave 'my' stuff alone, so I ended up searching for things, I'd already had in place. It doesn't sound like much, but it put me behind, so as a result, I didn't get things pre-trayed for today. Oh, well, if something isn't to be had, nothing I can do about it. Almost forgot, there's a catering for me to do today too... Oh, well... what will be, will be. Getting worked up over it, isn't going to help. 

Fergie, I don't know about over there, but here in the States the norm is to supply your own lunch, especially on 'handy-man' or 'side' jobs.  If you are lucky enough to be offered food, you take the pot luck - unless there are special dietary needs to be met, then it is acceptable to say, "Oh, no thanks I'm allergic/diabetic/vegetarian or whatever", otherwise you're considered ungrateful and rude, and another offer may never be made again. And of course, word of mouth will do you badly. In my opinion you would not be out of line to say, "Sorry, this is what we have. It's either this or nothing."  

 And now my mind has wandered off down memory lane, back to when Laurie and I cleaned houses. We had this one old German lady we cleaned for twice a week. Somewhere around our 3rd or 4th time there, she insisted we join her for some homemade strudel and coffee, after that, it became part of the routine. It was kind of funny, as she never allowed us to clean up afterwards - we did the rest of the house.  Her husband worked part time and would arrive around lunch time just as we were getting ready to leave and he'd always insist that we join him in a beer (or 2 or... lol)  I never went past the first beer with being the driver and all.  Generally, she'd supply sandwiches or something to go with the beer as 'hardworking girls need their nourishment'.  Given their age, I suppose beyond our 'service' Laurie and I also supplied a type of 'company' for them. Once it was remarked that I reminded them of the daughter back in Germany, so maybe that worked in too.  But, they were lovely people, with so many stories to share.  

I think you should, T-Rex. If not that then maybe a blog? You could start right here in 3 Paws. Go under 'stories' click 'new topic' and bam - you can add as much as you'd like, when you like.  Just a thought.

Life just got a little tougher - just got notice that my ride to work can no longer do so. Cie la vie.  Let's try and be positive about it... not like I've never been down this road before and the extra exercise will do me good.  Just finding out when I'm so tired I can barely stand (from work) took me by surprise. 

At last I have a spare moment to write.

Val, here, it is expected that the employer gives lunch to the employees. I am talking about gardeners, ironing ladies, or general handy-men who are not working for you on a full-time basis. Our gardener, whom we see on a monthly basis, says he likes working for us, as we give him a full meal for lunch. Other people often give him only bread and coffee.

Oh! I must tell you - last Thursday, I had just finished frying eggs for all of us, to make sandwiches. Suddenly, the helper decided that he didn't want fried eggs, he wanted boiled eggs. I thew a fit !! Ray calmed me down, saying that the job was nearing completion, and he needed the help. I had to swallow my anger/frustration and make him his boiled eggs. On top of all that, Ray has to fetch him, and take him home every day. He lives on a plot (small holding) about 5 miles out of town.

The inspector was supposed to come around on Friday, but it didn't happen. He will be here on Monday, or so he says. Only one day left for extra mouth's to feed. Yay!

Shenay was supposed to go on her first date yesterday (chaperoned, naturally) but was asked to do a photo shoot for a retail clothing outlet instead. She will be going to the movies today, with her first boyfriend. Nicky has met him, and his mom; she approves. I can't wait to get news of how everything went.

Val, I am sorry to hear of your lost lift to work. "Shank's Pony", here we come!

We have had a taste of winter to come, for the past two days. On Friday night the wind blew a gale. We woke up on Saturday to grey clouds and drizzle, with the temperature at about 53F. At least it warmed up to 65F; today is much the same.

T-Rex, I have often changed names in my stories, to protect the 'innocent' (or maybe not) lol. I am waiting on tenterhooks for your submissions.

Val, sometimes I think the helper is a jerk; other times, I think he is just half a sandwich short of a picnic. Yesterday, I nearly fell on my back ... he went out and bought lunch for all of us. After all my griping, I felt bad.
Work on the fence has not yet been completed. The inspector come very late yesterday afternoon, and he wasn't altogether happy. Some things have to be swapped around, and now rain is interrupting proceedings. Ah well, "que sera sera" (sorry, don't know how to get the ` on the a.)

Yes, Shen went from not showing the slightest interest in boys, to dating, in one fell swoop. It is still all very innocent, and I don't believe she has had her first kiss yet. Nicky insisted on meeting the boy and his mother before any 'dating' was allowed. If they are to go to the mall, or movies, they will always be accompanied by an adult. Not only for the sake of 'chaperoning' them but also as protection. There is so much kidnapping/abduction of youngsters going on, it is scary. Not even Nicky will go to a public loo unaccompanied - the most terrifying things can happen there.
The photo shoot went well, and Shen has been promised she will be called to do another. I am absolutely dying to see the professional photos!

Fergie,

I agree with Val on the memory book. Apart from a few B&W photo's of my surfie days (which mum kept), I've only got my memory of our adventures. I was going to post a story of getting mixed up with the Barong, in the Balinese highlands but I just can't get started as I've forced myself to forget so many things about the dance and the people.

Speaking of posting, I've now published two parts of our US holiday and one part of my experiences fixing phones in the Stories section of 3 Paws. More to come.

On the lunch front, it sounds to me like somebody may have had a quiet word in the young man's shell-like ear (maybe Ray?). I'm assuming he is young by his behavior. One day he might realize that you don't get ahead in the real word by undoing all the goodwill that you've built up - what we used to call 'the emotional bank account'.

Please stay safe Fergie (and family). I don't know what to make of the media stories coming out of SA at the moment with your farmers.

Please stay warm Val. I was hoping that the weather would warm up a bit before you had to venture into work under your own steam. I really hope you can find a warm coat.

Val,

I watched my mum go through a long battle with what the experts called 'mini strokes'. She always fought back but this condition did hasten the onset of Alzheimer's Disease. In the end pneumonia finally claimed her and she was released from her torment. I finally understood her suffering in 2014 when my body reacted to a new procedure for reducing fluid build up in my system. The left hand side of my body went numb, I started slurring my speech and my mind could not focus on one thought. I felt like I was trapped in a broken body and couldn't tell anyone about it. I was (and am) blessed that I had Jadeite looking after me.

Okay, on a lighter note, we've got one week to go until Easter and now is the time that a lot of people eat a particular bakery treat. Sometime ago, I promised to tell you all, my one and only Easter Joke (don't worry it's clean).

Q:  What do you get when you pour hot water down a rabbit burrow?

A:  Hot, Cross, Bunnies. 

Good news!

Jadeite has now returned from Singapore with photos and tales. Some for 3 Paws and some for YGS.

Bad news!

She has picked up a nasty cold that has turned into bronchitis. She is also very tired and sore. We both have to wear masks as I can't risk contracting the bug.

Good news!

Jadeite has seen the doctor who has put her on antibiotics and given her 3 days off work. 

I agree with you, Fergie. I don't know anyone who wants to be a burden. I do not understand this prolonging  medical science does in cases where there is no quality or hope for it. 

Apparently Millie (my SIL) has made some headway. Her speech has improved some, and she seems in better spirits. She's having trouble with her short term memory though, and still can't walk.  Rumor is they'll only keep her in rehab for 14 days. Either, she isn't as bad as I was lead to believe or that's all the insurance will cover. The kids aren't saying.  Then too, it might be her residence there will be over and will be out patient treatment.  Personally, I think folks with memory problems do better at home, around familiar things, and family. 

Bad rabbit joke:

What do you call a line of bunnies walking backwards?

A receding hare line. 

If venting gives you a few moments peace and sanity, then vent away!

Something you said about Jerome did set off my alarm bells. Has the intensity of his 'gripping' increased since he started taking the Blood Pressure Medicine? Is the common name for this medicine 'Beta Blockers'?

I've had experience with this group of drugs and I suffered the severe mental side effects of being prescribed the wrong type and dosage. Also you cannot go cold turkey and just stop taking them.

The good news is that I'm still taking them but a different type and dosage. You'd have to ask Jadeite if I'm still sane. 

I might be 'way off the mark' and this has more to do with changing a comfortable routine. Just hope that Jerome can adapt and get back into a more healthy comfort zone without driving you batty.

Jerome has always been a drama queen to the nth degree. One of those,who if they get a papercut act as though they nearly severed the finger off.  I have instructed him to talk to his doctor about his medications, because he has been complaining of lightheadedness and feeling nauseous. Not sure how much is real and how much is hypochondria, because he'll say he feels like he might throw up but continues eating. Says he feels lightheaded but then wants to walk to the store. Very confusing.

After, he calmed down a bit yesterday over the milk not being delivered, but somehow we got an extra 2 dozen eggs, I got him to call the delivery guy. To me it was obvious part of the orders had gotten mixed. Of course, I was right, but it took over an hour to convince Jerome that this was even a possibility.  Now he's all happy that there's 2 gallons of milk in the fridge. 

I hope you're feeling better soon, Jadeite. You might need to go back to the doctor's, if that fever doesn't go soon.  You really shouldn't return to work until it's been gone for 24 hours. 

Hi Fergie - just went through Shen's photo shoot. Doesn't she look super-glam? Like Diana Rigg or someone from the Avengers. That timeless style. I can just see her stylishly administering a karate chop to some villain without messing up her clothes, or have a single hair out of place. She's such the confident young lady now.

Sorry to hear about the painful saga with the helper. How about preparing a thermos flask of fresh-brewed coffee? Then you can plonk it down next to him with a jar of sugar and he has to get the milk from the fridge for himself? Better still, tell him he has to drink his coffee black as the cows have gone on strike!
I remember when I was in my 20s, I was expected to get the coffee for the office as I was a junior and also a woman. I brewed the coffee espresso-strength, super-strong and lethal, the way I always did at home. Everyone came running out of the meeting choking and pouring half their cups down the sink. It was a looong time before my boss dared to ask me to make coffee again. Eventually they simply had me order takeaway coffee from a nearby coffee shop.

Hi all,

Went for my 12 monthly dentist checkup today and passed with flying colors. 

No gloating with this story as I've read your harrowing accounts of broken teeth and have endured a few myself. 

I don't mind admitting that my dentist is a great man. I've been his patient for over 30 years and I know a little bit about him.

He was keen to find out what had happened to me over the last year and if it had changed my outlook on life. I told him my priorities had shifted and I was now enjoying life one day at a time. If I could help other people live more in the moment and worry less about a future that will change anyway, then I'll be happy.

He believes that everybody's life is a story and all stories will eventually end with a full stop but this is only the end of the beginning, there's still plenty to come. He also thought that it was auspicious that we met and talked about life on the eve of Christ dying on the cross for us all.

Hope you all have a pleasant break, regardless of your religion.

Val - that's the second time this has happened. I really do wonder if there is some kind of psychic connection, as I was thinking of you and Fergie when I wrote the first two sentences.

Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic which removes fluid from the body. You can get light headed and even faint if you get up too quick or allow yourself to get dehydrated. Keep the fluid intake up (water not chocolate milk) otherwise not good news for the kidneys. What is good news is that Jerome's BP is coming down and he should also start noticing some weight loss.

The beta blocker I am taking is Metoprolol which is a low dose of 50mg a day. Since the transplant, I don't need to take diuretics. I did notice on Google that there is a treatment that combines both Hydrochlorothiazide and Metoprolol together. Wow, you'd have to be double careful.

Sorry Val for probably lecturing you on something you know anyway. I just don't want Jerome having any mishaps due to being (like me) pig headed and 'easy go lucky' with a drug that demands respect.

No worries. I wonder what Jerome would say if I said, "Behave or I'll get an Aussie T-Rex to talk to ya!" lol

At least I seem to have convinced him that A) he needs to LISTEN to his doctor, B) health is NOT a game (he was under the illusion that his immune system was 'too good' and he couldn't get anything 'bad' no matter what he did), for now.  

On the upside, I did get to talk with my older sister this morning. She'll be 78 come August.  I'm the only one in the family she's kept touch with. The only one she still feels 'related' to. It's been this way for years. Like 34 or so  of them.  She'll ask after the remaining siblings, we reminisce about when we were 8 kids, instead of 3 (maybe 4, I've a missing brother. He disappeared like 35 years ago.)  I've offered to either have them get in touch or give her their numbers, but she says, it would be like talking to strangers, and that scares her. I get it, so I don't push, instead I stay the go between, letting everyone know how everyone else is. Of course since we're more than halved now, it's a lot easier.

Sorry i aint been here n all..but things has been very hectic n all.been packing on account i can't afford to do any diff.still gonna look for a better place to live after i move there.i dont like living in town..plus my pomaranian got pregnant. She had her pups yesterday.

lil-wolfie,

Hello from the land of Aus. I detest moving but also realize that sometimes it can't be avoided. I hope everything goes well for you and your cute furry family.

Val,

It's Easter Monday and we just got back from the After Hours Clinic. I have a lot more confidence in this Doctor. He found that Jadeite has an infection in her left lung and combined with her asthma is not the best of news. She's been prescribed two different antibiotics and another week off work. Problem is that there's no Chemists open today, so she will have to wait till tomorrow to get the pills. Bugger! A few more nights of coughing are ahead of us.

At least we endured another April Fool's Day with our sanity intact.

Hi Fergie, guess the helper got safely away before you spilt hot coffee all over him - accidentally, of course. Hope the rest of the work goes smoothly now.

I've got some HP sauce and Worcestershire steak sauce. Will that do? T-Rex has started to cough now and is giving me evil looks . But his transplant nurse at the hospital has assured him that the barrage of medicine he's on should suffice to keep him going unless he gets a high fever.

I might try your remedy out on him. Come here, T-Rex. Stop running away!

Will let you know it works...

Sugar over an onion for coughs? That's a new one for me. Going to keep it in mind though. With the seasonal change, comes allergies, colds, and the accompanying cough.  Sometimes I don't have the money for cough drops (or we run out at a 'bad' time - shops closed, etc), and now and then missing an ingredient or 2 for home remedies I know about. So back up ones are always welcomed. 

Please post your cough medicine recipe.  Who knows we might be able to find suitable substitutions, even if not, I always find them fascinating reading.  

T-Rex, I had a feeling it was more than bronchitis, from the description of her cough and no improvement with the first round of antibiotics.  But to be fair with the first doc, so many of these things have the same symptoms, it's hard to be 100% sure.  Here's hoping she'll soon be showing improvement.   BTW, I don't know about there, but I do hope she's keeping notes from the doctor for work? Here, we need 'proof' of illness 3 days or more to protect our jobs.   I'm sending healing energy to the both of you.  

Jadeite, keep your stone heart close at hand. 

Last day of my spring break. *sigh*  I had a long list of household chores I wanted to get accomplished before going back and the score is - dust bunnies 100  me 0. I've quite literally frittered the break away. Ok, so maybe there's only an inch of dust in the living room instead of the usual foot or so. 

This morning was off to a rousing start with Jerome giving off a high pitched girly scream in the living room.  I bolted out to him to be told, as he pointed with shaky hand, there was a mouse.  If not for the terror in his voice, I would have cracked up laughing, a big bloke like him, with legs drawn up from the floor, cringing on the sofa because of a harmless field mouse.  I looked about asking where, as the poor little corpse, pretty much blended into our dark area rug, a victim of Kirby, I'm sure.   I picked up the poor thing with a plastic bag, much like one would a dog's mess, and carried it to the trash, while offering up a small prayer, while reminding Jerome to breathe.

Jerome doesn't understand why I do that - offer a wee prayer for 'pests'. I try to explain that every living thing has a life force, and no matter their species, it should be respected. True, that mouse had no business in my house, but he was just doing what mice do.  He had a heart that beat, and an intelligent mind (mice are far from stupid, they can be quite cunning), he breathed. He was one of God's creatures, and deserved some respect. 

Jerome starts naming off  different 'pests' asking if they too are deserving of 'respect', spiders, ants, roaches... again I explain they have life forces, and for me it is wrong to delight in their deaths, but they do not belong in my home.  "What about snakes?" I guess  he thought he had me with that one.  "Even they have a life force, and deserve respect. As long as they leave me alone, they're entitled to live - and yeah, I pray for them too. Death always bothers me  to some degree, no matter whose it is, or why it died. The end of a life force, is a sad thing."  

Val, I could smell someone smoking early morning out the back in the courtyard area. It woke me up about 3:30-4am coughing. I saw the bright glow of the lights behind the blinds. Thought suddenly of your reminder about the heart-stone. I sat up, held it in my hand and took a few more puffs on my inhaler. The stone gave me a warm buzz again and an "ants-biting" pinch. Only for a moment.

T-Rex was wheezing a bit too. It always worries me when he does that, after the hepato-pulmonary syndrome. On impulse, I put my hand with the heart-stone on his back for a few minutes. His breathing eased and he slept on. When he was having nightmares from the Beta-blockers, I did that too and it seems to soothe his sleep. Whatever it is, it works. Thanks for the healing energy!

How funny about Jerome. He reacted just like my cousin when a gecko got into the flat. She actually jumped onto the sofa, screaming. I'm afraid I wasn't as restrained, I just burst out laughing. But for her sake, little lizzy was shown the way back out the window.

I do give a little prayer when I've got to clean up poor little mites, even ants. We try to catch spiders inside to release them out into the courtyard. All life is important. I avoid using bug sprays. Except when those giant flying mutant roaches sneer at me from the kitchen floor. Then it's a quick stomp of my foot.

Periodically, I get an anti-meat phase and T-Rex would have to get his protein from dairy, eggs, tofu and beans instead. I don't have a lot of meat these days. But I do give an extra prayer for the sacrifice of animals when we say grace. My parents also taught us not to waste food from their experience during the War.

After sitting with my mother-in-law near the end and watching helplessly as she suffered, I know that Death can sometimes bring relief and an end to pain

“A death is not the extinguishing of a light, but the putting out of the lamp because the dawn has come”- Unknown

From what I understand sucking on candy increases the saliva causing you to swallow more and that helps quiet the cough.  

Back at work, and things seem ok. There's a bit of drama, but I'm hoping it'll blow over. It's pretty damn embarrassing, and I'm not sure what the repercussions will be if any.It just makes me feel apprehensive, and now, I know that someone I thought was a friend, is so not. 

Val, if only you could open a small cafe/bakery and live above the shop.   Call it "Bear Claw Bakeberry". Start with market stalls and specialise in online orders. Wouldn't that be nice? (But first, we need that winning Lotto ticket).

I'm sending well-wishes back your way. Fingers crossed that your week goes well.