Thinking & Feeling

“The world is a tragedy to those who feel, but a comedy to those who think.” Horace Walpole

Tuesday, 25 January 2011

RIP Wally

I have just been informed that my ex Father In Law passed away a short while ago.

So sad. He was a lovely lovely man, who succumbed to both Parkinson's and Alzheimer's in the end.

I had not seen him since mid 2006.

You were a good man and will be missed.

Wednesday, 19 January 2011

Quinn disappeared the other night....

2 Nights ago the boys went to bed as usual. I was in the lounge covering school books. A while later Q came back saying he wasn't ready to sleep. I got him to help with the books and sure enough within 5 monutes he decided maybe he could sleep after all. :twisted: and off he went.

A couple of hours later I popped into their room, which is not something I always do, but I thuoght Roxy was in there... only to find Quinn not in his bed... I couldn't find him anywhere. I checked his bed, Griffin's bed, under the bed, the spare room, bathroom, MY room... all to no avail. I was a tad worried because he was just GONE! :shock: 

Then I spotted 2 clues. 
1 - His glasses. SO I knew he was somewhere close by... and 
2 - All the j-boards and skateboards were unpacked, which lead me to open the credenza.... 
Image

WTF knows why, but he decided that looked like a fun place to spend the night! :)

He is a nut case! 8) 

I am glad I checked though because he was drenched with sweat when I opened it.

Quinn's 'CONTRACT'


I found this at home... Quinn Wrote up a contract and made Griffin sign it.

It says:

Contract:
- Not hurt Quinn Fraser
- Not take his stuff without asking
- Ask if can use head phones
- Flush toilet after use, 
and spray if you crap 

lol1 lol1 lol1 HAHAHHAHAAA!!!)
- Get R10

So Griffin GOT R10 for signing the contract. He of course willingly signed up. I mean it sounds like a sweet deal right? Right?? Except he stuck some small print up at the top (where it has now been crossed out) that read 'Be Quinn's Slave'   
I think he is going to be a lawyer... ;)

Image

Tuesday, 18 January 2011

Been MIA

I've been BUSY!


Our nanny has been off ill for nearly a week and is now apparently in hospital (not sure what's up or how serious, I am struggling to get hold of her, but she had a terrible headache and was dizzy. So I am quite worried.). So I have had to bring the boys into work for several days, great fun trying to concentrate and keep them entertained, still and quiet!


So although I'd planned to outsource all the back to school prep to Tiny, and left it a bit late too, I have had to do it all (ARGH). Was up till after 12 last night covering books, doing laundry, defrosting the freezer after leaving the door ajar when it was last opened, mopping floors and all that fun stuff. I know some single moms work full time and survive without domestic help all the time. I have no idea how, really. I would not want to do this on a permanent basis thanks! :)


Boys are here at work AGAIN today and the novelty has completely worn off now.... at least school starts tomorrow, but then I'll have to sort out school uniforms and kak. Luverly! Send get well vibes to Tiny please! :)


Update on my ankle: 
I can now walk normally and can even run (carefully) again - it's a little bruised and sensitive still but otherwise it feels okay, which I am thrilled about. When the cast came off I was pretty despondent as it was still bruised, swollen and SORE. Also my calf was puny and weak and had NO strength. But some intensive power plate sessions, leg presses and lots and lots and lots of walking has got it back on track and the more I use it the better it gets. So it seems to be getting steadily better which is great news. I am even wearing a bit of a heel to work, something I couldn't do a week ago. So I a definitely on the mend now. YIPEE!


Update in my job:
I am still here and have been to a few interviews now, but nothing seems to be happening. I am hanging in here though and our Network Eng has resigned, so that will be a cost saving and increase the work load for me (further) so I might be able to stay on potentially, but I am still looking. I am staying hopeful that something good will happen at some point. I am not going to get too stressed about it. I am just dealing with stuff as it happens and looking out for opportunities wherever I can. Working hard in the mean time and not able to browse much during the day.


In other news I seem to have met someone in the past few weeks and things are going pretty well on that front too. I don't really want to say or think too much about it, for now, but so far so good.


Funnily enough when I was up in Pretoria my dad said, 'When you least expect it it will just happen, and it will end up being someone quite unlike anything you'd imagined.' and blow me down with a feather if that's isn't what has seemed to have happened. 


The boys have been great, very helpful and co-operative. Quinn helped me to cover his school books yesterday - he did 12 in paper. I was impressed. Q also made dinner for him and G yesterday while I was doing the plastic coverings and while G hung the laundry. Today they walked down to McD's to get themselves lunch. We seem to be working well as a team and muck in to work and play together which I am loving. They really are special guys who add a LOT to my life.


Hope everyone is well and sorry I have been scarce.

Monday, 3 January 2011

Q's birthday outing a DISASTER!

It is Quinn's 11th birthday today. He has been begging me to take him to Cool Runnings for well over a year. He has been twice before with friends, and chose a family day of him, myself and Griff at Cool Runnings as all he wanted to do for his birthday and instead of a party or any other present. (Money has been tight).

We arrived at around 14:00 today and I purchased 2x Kids Full Day passes at R220 each and a 12x Ride adult's ticket for myself at R190. The boys were thrilled and vowed to ride at LEAST 30 times each!

As mentioned Quinn has been to the park before and knows the ropes so he volunteered to take Griff as a passenger, since I was a bit nervous and wanted to test it out alone before riding with them. He is neither reckless, nor over cautious and is a competent cyclist, skateboarder, roller-blader, ice-skater and go-karter etc. They went first and before they had even started their toboggan capsized at the start of the winch section. One of the operators mentioned it being faulty, put it the right way up and sent them on their way. Once at the top they started their ride but about 1/4 of the way in while traveling at a moderate speed their toboggan again capsized for no apparent reason. Once they managed to make their way to the bottom they spoke to the operator who said, and I quote, 'Oh this one is faulty' and removed the toboggan from the track, placing it to the side. Both boys have sustained grazes and scrapes from this and Quinn's ear lobe is torn and bleeding quite profusely. Griffin was crying and complained of pain in his abdomen and fainted a short while later as well as being scraped and bruised on his ear and arm.

Both boys were too shaken and injured to consider riding again even though I gave them a sugary drink and encouraged them to. I went back to the office and they refused to give me a refund saying it was not possible. The guy phoned his manager who said we coud get comps for another day.... But the boys were neither interested in coming again another day, so we declined to complimentary cards.

Much as I am unhappy about the situation since it does seem like the accident was caused directly by a faulty toboggan, I do not actually want to hold Cool Runnings liable at this time. I am merely asking for a refund since I paid R630 for each of us to have one ride. I may have to make an appointment to take Quinn to see his ear specialist to ensure that the head and ear trauma have not interfered with his re-constructive surgery in his ear/head.

Quinn is incredibly upset that his birthday has been completely derailed (excuse the pun) and he now has had no present, fun activity or anything really :(

Do you agree that I have a case to keep badgering them for a refund in this situation???
We were there for 5 minutes and had one ride each...

p.s. I have taken photos of the injuries the boys sustained, should they be required.

What do you think must I keep trying and get nasty if they won't budge?

I have emailed and said I am happy to be reasonable and amicable but that I expect a refund given the circumstances. R630 is a LOT of money man!!!


Look I accept that these things happen and when participating in something like this risk is implied. Had it happened on the 25th ride we would have shrugged packed up and left, considering it bad luck.

I am not litigious by ANY means.

Griffin's grazes have turned into huge blisters and Quinn's ear is quite seriously hurt but it will heal.

My only issue is that we paid a LOT of money - for a maximum use visit and then didn't get to use it AT ALL. I don't need them to be liable or take blame or be bad mouthed. I just want my money back since we didn't utilise their rides as intended. They don't lose anything really. But I am now SERIOUSLY out of pocket...

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

I can run!!!

Ok not PROPERLEY yet but I am getting there!

When we left Cape Town 9 days ago I could just walk, wearing an ankle brace and taking care with each step.... now I can walk pretty much like a normal person and don't have to be super careful on inclines and pay attention to each and every step and can do stairs like an adult (not like a child learning to walk) ;).

Today I decided to try my usual 4km there and back to my local gym, with NO BRACE. I was planning to just walk, but was feeling good so I decided to try a little trot and I could do it!!! I did 1km and then walked 1 until I'd done about 3.5kms running!! Last time I was at the gym I had to use the lift and limped in, today I climbed the stairs and walked in. I am so thrilled. It seemed like I'd never be able to run and suddenly I am healing and feeling almost normal! :D :D :D :D

Yay! The 1/2 Marathon I have entered on 1 May seems more or less achievable again now!

SQUEE!

poo1 p1 t1 c1