Getting Old and all that Stuff

I have a 98yr old grandma. She has been living with us since the dawn of the dinosaurs ...or so it seems! Through all my growing up years I dont think I fully appreciated all the things she did for me because she annoyed me more that I could possibly put into words. She was always shouting - because she refused to wear her hearing aids - she was always criticising - because I wasnt a "good girl". Sigh. But, when the chips were down and things "came a-gusta" she was there...quitely in the wings ...lending me support.

On Thursday last week, she went for her quarterly check up at the doctors, and fainted while attempting to sit down to wait.The doctor did the "once over" and said that she would be sore and sorry for a few days and she had to come back on Tuesday (today) when the swelling and bruising went down. Thus, my patient and long suffering mother, and her sister, my grandma's other daughter, diligently took her in to the doctors. It was decided that the injuries sustained (two black eyes, upper and lower left cheek, sore ribs and mightly bruised left leg) required more attention and an X-ray was deemed necessary....Six hours and several x-rays later, she has been told that she has x3 cracked ribs and a broken eye socket ! What to do? She is too old and frail to go to surgery for "patching up".?! The doctors sent her home with PANADOL for the pain..and told her to see a specialist ?! WHAT THE?! SIX HOURS at the hospital and she gets panadol and a referral for a specialist at some undetermined time. Sheesh ! So the saga continues.

My heart not only goes out to my grandma for her sad and sorry state, but to my poor mother who is her full time carer. Not enough credence is given to carers who save the government gazillions of dollars in caring for their loved ones. My mum cooks, cleans, washes, chauffers, medicates, bathes and now changes my grandma for a measley sum of $95 per week. When you consider her earing potential as a paid worker, the money is nothing really. So sad. My mum tells me she is obligated to care for the woman who gave birth to her and provided for her while she was growing up - and because she loves her. That I understand. What I dont understand is how the government can come up with a "number" out of the air and say to my kind and caring mother  - this is how much your services are worth. Thankfully, we have the gospel that teaches us to love one another and to serve one another. NO dollar worth given in the scriptures - but a promise of blessings. Who could put a price on blessings?

Watch this space for further developments.

Changes, a what nots...

They say that a change is as good as a holiday....Well whoever said it obviously liked change!?! I'm not big on changes - I like routines and knowing what is happening, having a pattern to my life. This weekend, our oldest child, Joshua, is going back to live with his father again. Sigh. I will miss him. Letting go is SO hard. Children should come with instructions at birth. In the instructions and/or warnings  should  say something along the lines of : this little being will grow up - and at some point in time will want to be independent of you. This little being will have thoughts and feelings independent from yours. This little being will have the potential to make decisions that you may not agree with and live a life contrary to what you have raised them. Sigh.

The seasons are also changing. I dont like the heat ! :( I get whingy and whiny...and cranky cos my chocolate melts ! I cant sleep at night because its hot. I have to lose weight to look decent in bathers..ewwww....Winter is much awesome-er...you can get warm by "layering up"...but summer...you can only take so many layers off before they arrest you! What's with that?!

Madison only has eight more weeks of primary school before she graduates. More change. She is going to high school next year. Scary ! Only Julian left at South Thornlie. Madi is looking forwards to going on school camp.

So changes....its supposed to make us "grow". The only growing I'm doing so far is sideways! Oh well. time to "suck it up princess" and take in on the chin and just roll with it.

A Reminder of How Fragile Life Can Be

Joshua, our darling boy, recently lost his close friend Nicole. What makes it so sad is that she was at the peak of life...17yrs old. Josh has known Nicole for many years a he introduced her to the gospel. When Nicole moved to be with her family to the USA, they maintained their friendship via email and MSN chats. Working hard, Josh earned enough money to meet Nicole at EFY Utah, in 2009. It is hard to see my son so broken hearted, but we are comforted in knowing that we have an eternal plan of happiness - and we just have to hang in there and be the best person we can possibly be, to be with our loved ones again. What comfort it gives me as a mother, to be able to comfort my son and to share my comfort, knowledge and strength with him.

Over the past few months, many of our friends have also experienced the lost of loved ones. Other friends have endured financial hardships, faced some very challenging health issues such as cancer, had close calls or were in car accidents and all manner of stresses. I am so grateful that my issues are only minor compared to what others have had to endure. I am mindful that I have nothing really to complain about as I have my good health - despite the hay fever ! My children are happy and healthy, I have a roof over my head, food in the cupboards and recently enjoyed a holiday with my most favourite people.

I am eternally grateful for those special friends out there - who have loved me and my family through the thick and thin of it all. I am blessed. If you are out there in cyber world reading this - thank you for being part of my life.

My First Attempt...

Hiya !
This is my first attempt at blogging....I hear its a great way for family, friends and loved ones to keep in touch with each other....share in ideas and the journey each of us is on ...called life !
Well, the Chan Oates family has had an awesome two week break from reality. Tomorrow marks the beginning of 4th Term - then 10 busy, hectic weeks til Christmas holidays ! These two lovely weeks saw us going down south to Dunsborough and having lots and lots of fun. We were blessed with amazing weather - so we went to the beach every day ! BLISS ! Our discoveries included meeting a Dugite in the middle of the road in a national park....playing in a maze, eating lots of chocolate at a chocolate factory, enjoying icecream at Simmo's, fudge at the Candy Cow and walking, walking, walking ! A great time was had by all.
Week 2 of school holidays included scrapbooking days, fun with friends and whitewater rafting, and canoe-ing for the older children - who went to Dwellingup. We have all enjoyed sleeping in and just pottering around doing everything and nothing. Its nice to not have a schedule sometimes.
Already the schedule is looking scary - with doctors and dentist appointments, school camps, Relief Society annual events, ward conference, ward activities, RS additional meetings, art classes and what ever else I've missed. Ahhh....life !