Wow! How time has flown by. The last time I wrote anything was mid-February! I am lagging behind! What happened to March, it’s now the end of April?
Before leaving for my break in Sydney there was quite a bit to be done including fixing my front window as the glass was coming out of the frame! I also needed a new runner as the original was missing on one side.
I also had a printer problem. I tried to print out some flyers for the new business but had run out of ink. I tried several new cartridges but they were all rejected. I took the printer in to be serviced which later I found out would cost me more than buying a new one! Yes, I eventually bought a new one not because the old one was broken but it would have cost me twice the price to get original ink cartridges! The new one (also Cannon) came with new ink cartridges and was only $30 in total. To replace the two cartridges in the future it would only cost me $17.00 instead of $22 per colour and what’s more I could choose to ONLY use the black unlike the old printer where it used both not matter what! I tried to print out a few a few flyers but there was another problem. I tried to programme to print postcard size but only half a page came out! Never mind, I took these few with me to give out and asked my business partner Grace to print me out a few for me to pick up when I saw her in Sydney. At least I had a few to give out on my flight over.
With Mum’s Alzheimer’s getting worse I wanted to put her on a waiting list for as many places as possible. I also wanted to check some out which was a huge task. I now know you can employ an agent to do the work for you. There are a few I definitely would not book her into as they would not suit her lifestyle. We needed one that would allow free access to the gardens and had visiting pets and enough stimulation to keep her active and interactive. I took Mum and her friend Sue to visit one at Mosman Park. I had told her about it several times which she was happy to visit even thinking it was a good idea. On the day, Sue asked if I had told her were we were going. I said, no as she may refuse. When we arrived I stressed that we were just looking around to see what she thought. She was dragging her feet and when we looked into one room, she said in a sarcastic way “I wonder who’d be moving in here”. I reassured her someone was already living there and anyway she was only just looking around. It was a lovely place, the best I have seen so far, with access to the beautiful gardens from some of the bedrooms. She had a wonderful time chatting to staff and in the end we had to drag her away with the promise of morning tea.
I had also applied for and now have a Companion Card which has been approved and allows Mum’s carers access free of charge to various venues and events. In other words, I can get in free. She also now has a member’s card for the new Scarborough swimming pool where we have been swimming a few times when weather and time permitted.
After having several meals, including a delicious chicken curry, given to the dog, I decided that all food and meals needed to be kept in the small bar fridge which I locked in the spare room. This meant the food I had prepared would still be there when I arrive to make our dinner. Mum now has carers coming most days to help with lunch as she is getting more and more muddle headed. She doesn’t always appreciate the help, but its peace of mind for me knowing she has been offered something; whether she eats it or not is another matter. I have also installed a power switch under the hotplates so that I can turn the stove off before leaving. Mum is still able to use the microwave and toaster which is all she really needs. For safety reasons Kat also removed the oven knob. I have removed the heater we only just bought last year and reprogrammed the reverse cycle air conditioner for the cold winter days.
March 11th after church I collected Mum, ordered a taxi and headed into town for her friend Helen’s 90th Birthday. She had a wow of a time catching up with many of her X Christmas Island friends of all ages before we were offered a lift home. I was glad I hadn’t driven. I really don’t like to drive in unfamiliar city territory especially without my GPS which drops out at the most inconvenient time!
Kat arrived on the Friday before I left. I had decided I’d go on a fast to try to put my spirit, mind and body back into shape. I didn’t feel the counselling has been much help and the medication seemed to be making me lethargic and despondent! The first day was agony, not the fasting, but the headaches from coffee and drug withdrawals! I went to bed and slept, then slept again that night which is most unusual for me. I reintroduced the drugs but at a lower dose till I spoke to my doctor from Sydney; no time to make an appointment before I left. Monday morning, the day before my flight to Sydney, I picked up Jan’s van as Kat had the car. I had a load of pot plants to drop off, some at Jan’s and some with another friend Colleen, both near Mum’s.
On Tuesday morning I drove the van back via Mum’s so I could drop off my things then walk back from Jan’s after parking the van. I had plenty of time to say bye to Mum and explain to her once again where I was going. Kat finished getting ready, she had a whole day ahead scheduled but asked me to drive to the airport as she said I was a more aggressive driver. I must admit she is right. I think it’s from times of driving in Hong Kong and Sydney in busy traffic.
I was early as usual which helps me to stay relaxed. We had some heavy traffic as it was peak hour in Perth. After hugs and good byes I tried to book in at the kiosk. Firstly the e-ticket on my phone wouldn’t register, then somehow I missed a step to register my one bag. Of course there is no one around when you need them so I had to wait. Eventually someone helped and I received the bag tag and made my way to the self-serve bag check-in. There were several to choose from but all the systems were down so we had to wait. Praise the Lord, the guy who was getting the system back on line came to my check-in and helped me through as it took two attempts!
Once upstairs in the departure lounge, I had time to get on my computer where I answered emails before making my way to the departure gate. Here I saw an Asian lady who looked Thai. I sat beside her and asked where she was from. I was right, Thailand. She had visited a friend in Perth and was heading to Sydney to stay with her sister in Orange. She told me she was very nervous about travelling alone so I reassured her I’d assist where needed. It was lovely to practice my Thai, Ng also enjoyed the company and friendship.
It was an uneventful flight although I did enjoy my first meal to break my fast. We arrived safely in Sydney by 5:15pm (2:15pm Perth time, a 4 ½ hr flight). It was after collecting our luggage I realised Ng needed to catch a flight to Orange so together we asked where the check in for rural flights were. I think she was grateful for my assistance. I made sure she was checked in and knew where to go before making inquiries for the train station. I was pleasantly surprised to find the train I was boarding was on the line to Revesby. No changing trains! I could now relax. I SMS’d Vi-Lay to say I was on my way and would meet her at the station. It was so lovely to see her again, we get along so well. Before heading home, I needed to stock up for breakfast; then dumping the shopping and luggage we headed to our favourite Vietnamese noodle shop. While waiting outside for a table one of the waiters asked if we minded sharing with the guy standing slightly behind me. I said, no that was fine, and stepped back slightly so Vi-Lay could see the guy. She was surprised to recognise him, although neither she nor he could remember from where till they exchanged names, then he realised it was from a church sky trip several years ago. They had a wonderful time catching up with all the news while we enjoyed our dinner.
Unfortunately, Vi-Lay wasn’t feeling the best, having an upset tummy from something she had eaten during the day. We are always given so much to eat here and decided to take our left-overs home. I stayed up a bit to keep insinc with Perth time. I’m not wanting to disturb my body clock too much as it can disrupt my precious sleep. It’s so strange being still up at midnight! (9pm Perth time)
Next update my Adventure in Sydney.
Photos: 1. Another glorious sunset from North Beach! 2. Morning tea with Sue 3. Mum and me 4. Christmas Island friends 5. Flying over Perth
Prayer & Praise Points:
Praise the Lord for His help with Mum and my preparations for going to Sydney.
Praise Him for Kat being able to stay with Mum during my time away.
Please pray for the appropriate place and a placement for Mum in a suitable residential care facility.
Praise Him for the good outcome from the tribunal hearing regarding the Guardianship and Power of Attorney. Please pray for Trisha who has not been communicating since.
I appreciate your ongoing prayers for the business, Senior’s Benefits and Rewards. We are still looking for someone to assist us with marketing ideas but things are moving on.
Thank you once again to all my supportive friends and prayer partners, knowing you stand with me in prayer is a real encouragement and strength.