Blog for Saturday 19th April 2025

I was up before four o’clock, made my coffee, had my Quiet Time and did a Bible Study – all with Raafie still tucked up in my bed while I was out in the dining room! Oh, how that little dog loves to sleep!

Then Raafie got up and asked me – ever so politely - to open the door as he wanted to go for a wee walk and I let him out. When he tapped on the door to be let in again, he barked as he wanted to go and get into bed with Matt’. I let him into the main shed not realizing that he was sopping wet. He was soon barking for me to let him back into my area and that is when I felt that he was wet-wet-wet! Obviously, Matt’ had rejected Raafie’s request – wisely, I may add - so I toweled Raafie nice and dry and then he was back into Matt’s bed.

I washed and dried all our bedding early this morning so that Ken will sleep in fresh, clean bedding as I do not want any infection getting into his wound. Me not being that crash hot as a nurse so I can only bring my housewifely abilities in to play in his recovery process!

Paddy took me across the river to my little car, and he opened and shut the Highway gate for me too and waved me on my way.

As it was still early and Ken still was not sure when he would be discharged, I called in at Richies Supermarket to grab a few groceries as it looks as if we may get more rain next week.

I arrived at the hospital just  after ten o’clock and there was my man asleep waiting for me or for someone to discharge him. I had brought in clothes for him so he got dressed. Then a nurse came in and showed me how to help Ken put on those special stockings he has to wear for the six weeks.

Shoo! That will be testing my lack of medical know how! (I can always ask AI or go  to YouTube!)

We had to exercise a little patience waiting for Ken to be discharged as the nurse in charge was all over the place – a little scatter brained that’s all. But hey! He got discharged eventually!

It was so nice to get my man into my car and it was there that I gave him our gifts -   well some of them. A brand new i-Phone – not the latest as my budget did not stretch that far, but a brand new one nevertheless. It came with love from Mich’ et famille, Paddy et famille and mwah! Mich’ also added a cover and glass until I manage to get into JB Hi-Fi for a rugged cover. Ken was blown away – which I had really hoped he would be.

I stopped inn Wauchope to get fuel for my car and to buy Ken an iced coffee – his favorite at the moment – and then headed on home. Ken did not want me to pick up the walker as he said he did not need it, but I still think I should get it for his ability to get around on uneven surfaces.

I will let you know who wins that argument. At the moment Ken is!

Paddy met us as we came through the Highway gate and he had put a mattress on the back of the ute, and brought a box for Ken to step up onto or into the ute’. Ken was happy to get into the ute’ and with a slow and gentle wiggling he got in fairly easily. Paddy stood on the back of the ute’ and I drove us all over the river.

Once over the river Ken asked me to swing by the bottom shed where Matt’ was battling with the aerator. Ken got out and the three men – Ken, Paddy and Matt’ were discussing the whatever and wherefores of the aerator and then Ken turned to get back into the ute’ and he tripped! (Yes, thank you everyone, he tripped over a plank on the grass – which is why I think we should have the walker! I still think I may win this argument after all!) Luckily Paddy’s quick reaction was to catch Ken, which he did at a lickety-split speed, so Ken did not fall to the ground, but … he could have. Just saying!

When we got Ken into the top shed, he opened his other gifts from the farm – a beautiful brand new i-Pad, with a stunning cover, glass protector and all the trimmings! He was pretty  speechless!

Matt’ will show Ken how to operate his new i-Phone and i-Pad before they leave us on Monday and he will also load the appropriate apps that Ken will need to use his i-Pad. All very exciting.

Once I had got Ken onto our bed and sleeping, and Paddy and Matt’ were working I baked Sandra’s sticky date pudding for the first time and made a butterscotch sauce to go with it.

I think I could have left it in the oven for maybe five more minutes as right in the centre and only a small spot, it could have baked for a little longer. But overall, I was thrilled with how it looked and tasted.

I had baked a lasagna and made a tossed salad for our evening meal and then served the sticky date pudding with its butterscotch sauce and some custard. Matt’ asked for a really small serve of the pudding which I did for him, but seconds later he came back saying, “Nan, I beg my pardon, that was yummy may I have a large piece now for seconds!”

We were soon all tucked up into our respective beds and I was soon fast asleep.  So nice to have Ken home again.

What lesson did I learn today? How to lose an argument gracefully!

What am I grateful for today? To have Ken home again!

My saying for today is …