Blog for Wednesday 9th April 2025

I had a terrible night’s sleep last night. I got up in the wee, dark hours with tummy cramps and feeling horrid.

Plus, I battled to go to sleep, which is something I find hard to deal with as I usually can count one-two-and three and I am fast asleep, but of late I have been tossing and turning and grinding my teeth to a very fine powder with frustration at not being able to go to sleep.

Hopefully this is just a passing trait and will soon be over!

Today, I did some more washing and hung it out to dry, then in the afternoon I ironed it all. Angelic, that’s what I am - positively angelic!

I also did a lot of sweeping, mopping and general sprucing of our home up make it look neat and tidy.

I sent out texts and phone calls and emails to family and friends to tell them that Ken is to have a hip replacement operation tomorrow – Thursday 10th April  - a week before he turns eighty-two! I am praying that this op’ will remove all the pain he has been having for some time now and that he will feel a whole new lease of life.

In the afternoon I lay down as I was not feeling that crash hot again – headache, sore tummy and oh-so tired because of a lack of sleep last night. I did not sleep but was almost there, when Ken received a phone call alongside me, and that was the end of any idea of sleep for me!

Later, our friend Peter came across to help Ken (and me) to get the ute’ across the river safely. I was so grateful to him as I do not like that feeling when the tractor tows me in the ute across the river as the ute’ has no traction and you feel the power of the water pulling you off the crossing. Not a good feeling! So, I am very grateful to Peter for doing that in my place.

Peter has also offered to get Mich’ and I across the river on the tractor when we need to get off the farm while Ken is in hospital – which is a couple of times - as I want to see that Ken is okay after his op’ so need to visit him and make sure that he is well looked after.

Plus, I have dentist appointments to fix my snapped off tooth at long last!

I put together some pyjamas and clothes for Ken to take to hospital with him, and he will sleep out in the main shed area tonight, to make sure that he is squeaky clean after his showers. Raafie will have to sleep with me alone tonight as I do not want any bugs, germs or nasties to infect Ken before the op’.

Yoh! I am going to miss my man when he is in hospital and am missing him already!

This afternoon Noel and Sandra – good friends of ours phoned to tell me about a friend of theirs who has a really good vehicle for sale. They know this family well and this vehicle belonged to their mother who died a few months ago. It has been well looked after, regularly serviced, it has not done great mileage, is a manual (which I prefer) and a Kia, which is a good make, et cetera, so I contacted the gentleman concerned and asked him if I could come around to see it after Ken has had the op and is home again. He was very nice and said he would hold it for me until such time.

My little car is in at the mechanic’s place, and we are waiting to hear the good or bad news about it before I do anything. But so far, it is not looking that good!

So many of our friends and family contacted us to wish Ken well for his op’ which was lovely. Ken and I have been blessed with many good friends since moving here to Australia and they have been such a support and encouragement to us.

Tonight, we had a simple meal, but one I knew Ken would enjoy – grilled steaks, baked beans and poached eggs. Then from midnight Ken had to fast, and he may only drink water in the morning until half past eight.

Ken came to say “Good night!” before he retired to his bed in the main shed, and Raafie and I snuggled into our bed for the night.

What lesson did I learn today? How important our family and friends are to us.

What am I grateful for today? Family and friends.

My saying for today is …