Monthly Archives: September 2011

24th Anniversary

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Been a busy few days.  Had the pleasure of working with Synchronised Marketing & Events agency on the Discovery Invest Leadership Summit 2011 for the last few days.   Finally have a few minutes to do a quick post.

Yesterday was my 24th wedding anniversary!  Celebrated with hubby and kids at our local Spur for dinner last night – Yes, I am afraid that this is what celebrating means after 24 years! 

We exchanged cards at around 4.30am just before I left for the Sandton Convention Centre for the Summit. Hubby bought me a few little items to put around my neck – not the sparkly version I’m afraid – a little out of our budget at the moment.

We have had a life-time together, done some amazing things in our 24 years and been to some amazing places.  If fact we have been together for 27 odd years. 

We have 4 of the best sons anyone could ever wish to have and they remind us everyday how lucky we are.  Our 2 eldest sons have shown extreme maturity in dealing with the big wide world and have both made us extremely proud. I have no doubt our 2 younger ones will follow in their footsteps.

This year has probably been our worst year – mostly due to our joint company having less work than ever before which has of course brought the associated stress.  We have had to cut back in all aspects of our life.  In fact, it has been so bad we have not drawn a salary in about a year.  All I can say is thank goodness we saved all these years as this is what has kept us going.  Only problem of course is that the savings account is looking a little sorry for itself at the moment and needs replenishing. 

Hopefully the economic climate will start improving and work will start rolling in again.  I am a “glass is half full” type of person so I refuse to believe that we are in for another recession – not sure we could survive things getting worse than they are now.

I would like to thank my husband for his love and support over the last 24 years and look forward to our 25th.

Chow for now!

24th Anniversary

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Been a busy few days.  Had the pleasure of working with Synchronised Marketing & Events agency on the Discovery Invest Leadership Summit 2011 for the last few days.   Finally have a few minutes to do a quick post.

Yesterday was my 24th wedding anniversary!  Celebrated with hubby and kids at our local Spur for dinner last night – Yes, I am afraid that this is what celebrating means after 24 years! 

We exchanged cards at around 4.30am just before I left for the Sandton Convention Centre for the Summit. Hubby bought me a few little items to put around my neck – not the sparkly version I’m afraid – a little out of our budget at the moment.

We have had a life-time together, done some amazing things in our 24 years and been to some amazing places.  If fact we have been together for 27 odd years. 

We have 4 of the best sons anyone could ever wish to have and they remind us everyday how lucky we are.  Our 2 eldest sons have shown extreme maturity in dealing with the big wide world and have both made us extremely proud. I have no doubt our 2 younger ones will follow in their footsteps.

This year has probably been our worst year – mostly due to our joint company having less work than ever before which has of course brought the associated stress.  We have had to cut back in all aspects of our life.  In fact, it has been so bad we have not drawn a salary in about a year.  All I can say is thank goodness we saved all these years as this is what has kept us going.  Only problem of course is that the savings account is looking a little sorry for itself at the moment and needs replenishing. 

Hopefully the economic climate will start improving and work will start rolling in again.  I am a “glass is half full” type of person so I refuse to believe that we are in for another recession – not sure we could survive things getting worse than they are now.

I would like to thank my husband for his love and support over the last 24 years and look forward to our 25th.

Chow for now!

Thorn amongst the roses

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I am the only thorn amongst the roses and over the years I have become accustomed to being the odd one out.  I have learnt to endure the conversations relating to body parts and bodily functions.  I thought I would mention some of this weeks conversations which have included such topics as:

Son no 3 referring to “Bob & Steve (& Bob always comes first as he is slightly bigger)” when referring to his you know whats.  Bob & Steve have almost become son no 5 & 6 as they are mentioned so much.

“Sparrows Fart” – My husband mentioned at breakfast one morning that he would be leaving at Sparrows Fart the next morning for a breakfast meeting.  Of course this started the obligatory giggles from Son no 3 & 4 who then proceeded to make the appropriate noises relating to farting, snoring, snoring whilst farting, farting whilst snoring, farting as you wake up, farting and tweeting.  This went on for around 30 minutes.

Son no 3 telling us that he is “Abtastic” – and this while flexing his muscles and looking in the mirror in the lounge (or wannabe muscles as the case may be!)

I have also become a connoisseur of SyFy films and TV Series.  (Although I must admit I have put my foot down when it is suggested that we watch the Alien Trilogy again.)  Anything with aliens, vampires and zombies is popular with the current TV Series called “Death Valley” being flavour of the day.  This is about cops killing zombies – no real story line – just cops taking out their weapons and shooting them in the head.

Sometimes I wish I was a zombie!

(Image from www.seat42f.com – The Walking Dead)

Thorn amongst the roses

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I am the only thorn amongst the roses and over the years I have become accustomed to being the odd one out.  I have learnt to endure the conversations relating to body parts and bodily functions.  I thought I would mention some of this weeks conversations which have included such topics as:

Son no 3 referring to “Bob & Steve (& Bob always comes first as he is slightly bigger)” when referring to his you know whats.  Bob & Steve have almost become son no 5 & 6 as they are mentioned so much.

“Sparrows Fart” – My husband mentioned at breakfast one morning that he would be leaving at Sparrows Fart the next morning for a breakfast meeting.  Of course this started the obligatory giggles from Son no 3 & 4 who then proceeded to make the appropriate noises relating to farting, snoring, snoring whilst farting, farting whilst snoring, farting as you wake up, farting and tweeting.  This went on for around 30 minutes.

Son no 3 telling us that he is “Abtastic” – and this while flexing his muscles and looking in the mirror in the lounge (or wannabe muscles as the case may be!)

I have also become a connoisseur of SyFy films and TV Series.  (Although I must admit I have put my foot down when it is suggested that we watch the Alien Trilogy again.)  Anything with aliens, vampires and zombies is popular with the current TV Series called “Death Valley” being flavour of the day.  This is about cops killing zombies – no real story line – just cops taking out their weapons and shooting them in the head.

Sometimes I wish I was a zombie!

(Image from www.seat42f.com – The Walking Dead)

A sore finger

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Son no 3 hurt his finger playing basketball at school yesterday.  It is rather sore and he flinches when it is touched.  So, being a mother of 4 boys, I know the drill….

  1. Drive to Doc (15 minutes)
  2. Wait for Doc to see the injury and write out an X-ray form (30-60 minutes depending on how busy he is)
  3. Drive to Hospital for X-rays (15 minutes)
  4. Have X-Rays taken and wait for the report (60-90 minutes)
  5. Drive back to Doc (15 minutes)
  6. Wait for Doc to see you and access injury and possibly put a cast on or strap it up (30-60 minutes)

Total time spent: Approx 3 hours (if you are lucky)

Over the last few years, I have managed to cut out no’s 1 & 2 above – I go straight to the hospital for X-rays and then take them to the Doc – saves loads of time and hassle.

So today I went off to the hospital.  Radiology department won’t do the X-Rays – They will only do them if referred by a doctor or by the casualty department.  Rules have changed.

Seeing as though I am already at the hospital, and I don’t really want to drive all the way to my Doc for an X-ray form, I decide that casualty is probably the fastest route.

So I put my name down at casualty and give them a brief description of the problem “my son hurt his finger playing basketball and needs an X-Ray”.  I am told to take a seat and wait to be called.    We wait and we are called about 5 minutes later.  A nurse then takes all my sons vitals – blood pressure / pulse / oxygen / temperature and even his blood glucose (all this for a sore finger!).

I then ask her why she is doing all this – his finger is sore – he has been to school this morning – there are no other issues other than his finger being sore – I would like an X-ray done purely as a precautionary measure.  She says she has to do the vitals for the report.  We are then asked to go to the waiting room.  So I ask if we can’t have the X-rays done in the mean time – she says NO – a doctor has to see him first.  I express my annoyance – why waste everyone’s time – I am sure the casualty doctors have far more serious issues to attend to – their time could be better spent actually treating emergency cases.  This of course gets me nowhere.

So whilst in the waiting room (again), I call through to my Doc and ask his receptionist to please get him to fax through an X-ray form.  She calls me back 5 minutes later to say it is on its way.

We go back to the X-ray department and have the X-rays taken.  Wait the 60 minutes while they are developed and proceed through points 5 & 6 as well.

Doc looks at the X-ray – no broken bones – just damaged cartilage.  Doesn’t need to be strapped up – just needs some rest.

Why do the hospitals complicate things so much?  Why can they not have a minor injury section that deals with these sort of minor injuries that can be sorted out quickly without having to spend a fortune on doctors bills, time off work, petrol etc.

A sore finger

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Son no 3 hurt his finger playing basketball at school yesterday.  It is rather sore and he flinches when it is touched.  So, being a mother of 4 boys, I know the drill….

  1. Drive to Doc (15 minutes)
  2. Wait for Doc to see the injury and write out an X-ray form (30-60 minutes depending on how busy he is)
  3. Drive to Hospital for X-rays (15 minutes)
  4. Have X-Rays taken and wait for the report (60-90 minutes)
  5. Drive back to Doc (15 minutes)
  6. Wait for Doc to see you and access injury and possibly put a cast on or strap it up (30-60 minutes)

Total time spent: Approx 3 hours (if you are lucky)

Over the last few years, I have managed to cut out no’s 1 & 2 above – I go straight to the hospital for X-rays and then take them to the Doc – saves loads of time and hassle.

So today I went off to the hospital.  Radiology department won’t do the X-Rays – They will only do them if referred by a doctor or by the casualty department.  Rules have changed.

Seeing as though I am already at the hospital, and I don’t really want to drive all the way to my Doc for an X-ray form, I decide that casualty is probably the fastest route.

So I put my name down at casualty and give them a brief description of the problem “my son hurt his finger playing basketball and needs an X-Ray”.  I am told to take a seat and wait to be called.    We wait and we are called about 5 minutes later.  A nurse then takes all my sons vitals – blood pressure / pulse / oxygen / temperature and even his blood glucose (all this for a sore finger!).

I then ask her why she is doing all this – his finger is sore – he has been to school this morning – there are no other issues other than his finger being sore – I would like an X-ray done purely as a precautionary measure.  She says she has to do the vitals for the report.  We are then asked to go to the waiting room.  So I ask if we can’t have the X-rays done in the mean time – she says NO – a doctor has to see him first.  I express my annoyance – why waste everyone’s time – I am sure the casualty doctors have far more serious issues to attend to – their time could be better spent actually treating emergency cases.  This of course gets me nowhere.

So whilst in the waiting room (again), I call through to my Doc and ask his receptionist to please get him to fax through an X-ray form.  She calls me back 5 minutes later to say it is on its way.

We go back to the X-ray department and have the X-rays taken.  Wait the 60 minutes while they are developed and proceed through points 5 & 6 as well.

Doc looks at the X-ray – no broken bones – just damaged cartilage.  Doesn’t need to be strapped up – just needs some rest.

Why do the hospitals complicate things so much?  Why can they not have a minor injury section that deals with these sort of minor injuries that can be sorted out quickly without having to spend a fortune on doctors bills, time off work, petrol etc.