Ants! Ants! Ants!

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: (Proverbs 6v6 KJV)

From last summer, (with a glorious ant-free winter respite!) we have been inundated with these pesky little critters.  And in having these new uninvited guests to our home, I have considered Proverbs 6v6.

They have invaded our territory with the greatest determination surely known to man.  I sweep them up like pepper from the tiles of our floors, I spray them with pesticide from my walls and my favorite - I make traps for them with Thai Curry Paste (which they loathe).  If you are fortunate enough to find their secretive entrances to your home, this works, but you need to block it up with the paste so not one little crack or hole exists or they will find their way in, believe me!

The strange things about these little ants is that they do not go for my sugar bowl!  No - these are more sophisticated in their taste.  They invade my kitchen sink with its crockery and cutlery waiting for the dishwasher and they experiment with every little morsel or crumb that may be there for them to discover.  They form perpetual lines to my kitchen counters, to the pets food and nothing can deter them as they march onwards.

It being the Christmas season, I baked four cakes for an order.  In advance, I prepared for these home invaders - that's what I thought, anyway.  The cakes came out superbly and everything in the kitchen was spotless - I stored the decorated cakes in the refrigerator and all was well.  Then I noticed that the icing on the cakes was not setting.  "Where to store them?  Where to store them - away from ants?"  Aha!  Into my cold oven they went, two on each shelf.  Safe and sound until morning when they would be delivered.

Arose early the next morning and immediately went to get the Christmas cakes to wrap for delivery.  What....?!!  Ants, yes those determined, hateful black little cretins had somehow, Lord knows how - found their way into the immaculately and professionally sealed oven and they were crawling happily over the icing, carrying great globs of the delightfully sweet white stuff away!!

I yelled for hubby.  Grabbed a brand new wide paintbrush and began to brush them off.  As quickly as I could brush them off, we wrapped them in cling-wrap and off they went to be sold.

But now I am left wondering - did any of these little blighters managed to tunnel their way into the fruity cakes?  Has an army of ants burrowed deep tunnels in those cakes?  When the customers cut them open, will they find ants nests?  Oh heaven forbid!!

To get my revenge, I made up an icing sugar paste and mixed it with Borax, shoved it in the oven and let the critters feast!  I hope they will fill their already swollen bellies with it or remove it to their skyscrapers hidden somewhere, Lord knows where - perhaps deep under the foundations of this house!

So my assumption of Proverb 6v6 is that ants are certainly NOT lazy, they are VERY DETERMINED, they seem to have BRAINS because they appear to be thinking and they can FIND anything they need from ANYWHERE you may try to hide it from them.  WISE they certainly are.  They are SECRETIVE, DARING, FORM NETWORKS, HAVE GREAT SCOUTS and a SOUND INTELLIGENCE and INTERCOM system, and seem to appear from nowhere.

Today I must take a leaf from my own book at Tips for Saving Money and Time !!  Be wise like the ants are and read it!!

Medications and children don't mix!

As if the incident with the burglary was not enough to make me feel like a downright twit, I had to go the whole hog to thoroughly disgrace myself in my daughter-in-law's home.
What now?  You may ask.  Yes, ask that again and I will tell you.

If you have kept up with the rest of my blog updates, you will know that I am a chronic pain sufferer.  Not because I want to be, no - but because I have a cervical vertebral problem that is being medically treated (i.e. with medicine) as long as possible (that is until kidney failure kills me instead the doctors are hoping) - preferably to undergoing surgery which could prove fatal (what doctor wants to perform an operation that could result in total lack of success?).

Enough said about it.  I am on several million types of medicines to see me through each day.  Now knowing that kiddies and meds do not go well together and that the vast majority of overdoses result from kiddies finding grandma or grandpa's medications right there on the bedside cabinet - I was determined this would not happen to one of my grandchildren.

Well aware of the dangers, I kept my medications zipped up in my handbag and placed it right on the top shelf of the nursery where I was ensconced.

 

 

Lo and behold as kiddies do, some came over to play with my grandchild.  It was great, it was fun and they had a ball.  Two played outside and one little girl aged three, played in the nursery alone.

Their play time came to an end and now it was time to dress the Christmas tree.  It was also time for my medication.  Into the nursery I went to find to my absolute horror, my handbag full of pills had been removed from the very top shelf and placed on the very bottom shelf of the cupboard!

Who had moved it?  Tessa, my dear daughter-in-law.  So naive it's frightening.  Alarm bells started to ring as I checked all my medications carefully.  And there it was - an empty pill vial, staring at me.  Glaring at me in accusation.  Fleeting images of sleeping child, child being given emetic, child with burst blood vessels in the eyes from vomiting, child with no pulse - all these images came to mind.

I went through to the Christmas Tree and the kiddies and parents swimming around it.  I announced "8 of my blue pills are missing.  The vial is empty.  One of them is enough to knock me out for a night."  No-one cared.  Certainly not after the burglary incident.  They all thought I was a nutcase and they were not far wrong either.  They continued to place baubles on the tree and I continued to speak to the air "If one of these blue pills can knock an adult out for a night, imagine what it can do to a small child?"  - No response.

"I am concerned for the little one that played alone in the nursery!"  - No response.

"What if...."  A mother said "45 minutes have passed, the children would have been showing symptoms by now".  Another mother gave her toddler an empty vial to try to open and said victoriously "See!  She cannot open it!"

Both mothers agreed they were not prepared to put their children through stomach washes and would wait until they were symptomatic.

Symptomatic?  Where they mad or was I?  "Yes, let's just wait until one of the children's pulses stop.  The Christmas Tree decorations are after all, FAR more important."  That's what I said and then I went to the nursery, closed the door and wondered why I even cared.

I checked and re-checked my handbag and some time after the kiddies had left I found 8 little blue pills smiling up at me from the chemist's small plastic bag inside one of the handbag's linings.  Of course I was embarrassed (especially after the burglary incident I must repeat again and again and again).  But embarrassment took second place.  I triumphantly announced that the little blue pills had been found!  I went to Tessa's neighbours and showed them as well - no need to worry, the pills were not inside their three year old.  They were kind and they were understanding.  After all, I did place my handbag way out of reach of any child.  And on phoning their doctor had learned that my little blue pills were only harmful if more than 12 were swallowed in which case the child could receive an antidote in the form of an injection.

Tessa was not so understanding.  What kind of mother-in-law-from-hell was this that was staying with her?  I couldn't blame her.  I just heard her say "That's IT!!" and I knew that my goose was cooked - or my visit really - was overstayed by a burglary and an overdose.

I went to sleep exceptionally angry at myself.  But as the night progressed I realised that it was TESSA who had been negligent.  SHE had moved my bag - and why?  Why I did not know and did not care except that it had been done and could have resulted in an emergency.

Another drill?  Perhaps.  That's not how Tessa saw it!!
No doubt about it - she was glad to see the back of me!!

Bye-Bye from a crazy Nanna!!!

 

 

On Burglars....

Mid-move had to go elsewhere for a family crisis.  Returned after 10 days to find hubby had unpacked very few boxes so am now inundated with unpacking.  Throat infection did not clear properly and went into my left ear, Eustachian tube and sinuses.  That was the least of my worries, however.
The family crisis got me thinking seriously about post-natal depression and psychosis.  How late can it happen after a birth?  And about verbal abuse - why is it that so often only men are accused of abuse when verbal abuse can also come from the female of the species.  Especially in provocation.  16 days of an action campaign against women abuse - what about the men one has to ask?  It is after all, with the tongue that women fight (am I right or am I wrong?).

So there I was, a guest in my own adult child's home.  Alone with his wife.  She in the master bedroom and I in the child's future bed in the nursery.  I took a muscle relaxant (for my neck) and a sleeping pill.  Nothing usually wakes me up from this combination.

Suddenly, at 2 a.m. I awoke with what sounded like someone (or more than one person) climbing over the garden wall.  "Doomf!!" went their feet as they landed on the ground.  Then the outside light right outside my window went off.  Now I knew that a burglary was in process.  I was waiting for the sound of breaking glass at the kitchen door.  I even thought I heard voices.  Up out of bed I ran down the dark passage and knocked on my daughter-in-law's locked bedroom door.  "Tessa!  Tessa!  Press your panic button!"  No response.  I banged harder and shouted louder, knowing the intruder/s would now definitely hear me.  Finally, Tessa appeared sleepily at her bedroom door.  I closed the door and we locked it.  "Press your panic button" I repeated "There's someone in the garden.  They are trying to break in.  They could be in the house by now!"  Tessa was unfazed.  She batted her sleepy eyes at me "Are you SURE?" she asked slowly "Your son also thought there was someone around and there was no one".  What is wrong with this crazy lady?  She is second-guessing me at a time like this!  "Listen to me Tessa.  I was woken out of a deep sleep.  I took a muscle relaxant and a sleeping pill.  I heard them jump over the wall.  I saw the outside light go off!!"  She pressed the alarm.  It was not the silent kind.  It whirred loudly all across the neighborhood.  She switched it off.  We listened for noises inside the house.  We phoned the police.  They were on their way.  Phoned the neighbours, but no response.  Switched the alarm back on.  Two women alone in the house with a sleepy toddler sucking at her dummy and looking at us in amazement.

 

The policemen arrived - all seven of them.  They searched the house, they searched the garden, they looked for scuff marks on the walls, they found nothing.  They stayed a while giving us security tips and assured us they would patrol the area.  Calmed down, we had some coffee and returned to our separate bedrooms.

Several nights later I lay in the same bed nodding off when I heard the toilet next to my wall and off the master bedroom flush.  It wasn't the flush that shocked me, no.  It was the suction, Doomf! sounds that were familiar.  And I clearly heard the light being switched off.  Yet it stayed on outside my window.  ?????  The night of the near-burglary Tessa did not have the outside light on.  So that explained it.  She had gone to the toilet at 2 a.m., flushed and the plumbing took care of the rest of the "burglar" noises.  She had switched off the bathroom light which had flooded the garden outside my window.  And in the middle of all this I had woken and reacted.  My face was red, yes it was.

It was red when I admitted my mistake.  It remained red until I realised that I had actually through an act of great stupidity actually given my family a 'burglary drill' and that several things were left wanting - a silent alarm to a security company - outside light left off - a table right up against the wall - and neighbours that needed Stay Alert Tablets.

Wow a lot has happened since I last posted!  We had my parents-in-law come to visit.  They were here one moment and gone the next.  Passing through, actually - but we managed to convince them to spend two nights by giving them our exquisite dreamland bed which has a mattress beyond compare!

They talked and I tried to.  I had caught strep throat from Francine.  This is the second time I have caught strep throat from Francine.  You know how it is with kids - they pick up all these bugs at nursery school/school or creches and bring them home to their parents.  Only in this case the bug favored me - the nanna.

So there I was, clutching my antibiotic, painkillers, analgesics and throat anesthetic spray promising myself I would go home and climb into bed (which I did).

I floated in and out of sleep hearing the voices of my mother-in-law and then my father-in-law.  I felt like death warmed up!

 

Hubby came in and said:

"We will need to give them our bed!"

I said:

"No, no, I am sick, I want my bed!" like a three-year old, clutching at my duvet for dear life.

Hubby said:

"There is no option.  We can't expect my parents to sleep on the fold-up couch.  It's awful!"

He had a point.  In fact, he was right.  There was no other solution.  I left the comfort of my lovely bed and went to join our guests...feeling like my throat was on fire.

They were very understanding and kind I must say.  My mother-in-law had a list of herbal remedies I could try.  She ran some ointment onto my head and down the side of my neck (which was also hurting).  But - I still needed to give them my bed!

"Whaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!"

And now my parents-in-law and my strep throat have all gone.  The house was all quiet and I crept back into my luxurious bed with a brand new appreciation.  I LOVE my bed.  Don't you?  

That was yesterday and today, I must start to pack!  We are moving AGAIN!  All this is waiting for me!!

It's enough to give a person a relapse!  More about our MOVE later!!

Smacking - is it ever condoned?

Hello again!  An update.  Francine (2.5 yrs old) was dropped off at my place last night after a week of bronchitis, vomiting and diarrhea.  For this she had taken strong antibiotics and it left her with a case of bad nappy rash.  So Nanna was the preferable place for her to be plonked.  What Nanna worth her salt would ever say "No" - ?  

Today I took the little mite (her weight has dropped to 11.46kg) to the clinic.  There she amazed me by sitting quietly waiting - and waiting, and waiting.

We waited for three hours!!  If she had been restless I would have had to leave long before that time.  I was duly impressed by her self control.  I was having trouble containing my own waiting for so long.

As we waited, a mother came in with a toddler clinging to her skirt and crying.  A cute little boy in denim clothing.  To my astonishment, she pulled his hand firmly away and carried on walking to her seat where she picked him up and almost threw him onto the chair next to her.  He was only about 18 months of age.  After a few minutes, she got up, pulled him up and whacked him once but very hard on his bottom.  He almost fell with the intensity of the smack.  The lady sitting next to me was horrified and so was I.  Shocked, she turned to me and said "Any other mother would have picked him up and pacified him!"  and I added "Yes, all he needs is some love and assurance - he is probably ill or petrified of this place".  Francine-Rose looked on mortified.  She crept onto my lap.

I felt a fury rise inside me as I heard the toddler yelling all the way down the passage.  Again, I told myself "Who will speak up for a little child?"

I had this vivid image of myself grabbing that mother from behind and pulling her around to ask what she thought she was doing.  And another image quickly followed of her giving me a resounding slap and asking what business it was of mine, then disappearing with the poor little fellow without getting any medical treatment.  Instead, I sat there wondering what I should do.

Before I could decide, the mother returned and the little boy was fast asleep in her arms.  She sat down and fell asleep herself.  I was still shocked at her former behaviour.  As I looked at her, one of the doctors walked by and stopped in front of her.  "How are you doing sweetie?" she asked the mother.  She responded by telling her she felt like death.

I sat back trying to feel sorry for her.  I thought back to the time I had little children and tried to remember how they can drive you to frustration.  I tried to have mercy.  She could have AIDS or TB.  She could have some other terminal illness - these were my thoughts.

But nothing could overcome the feeling of repulsion I felt for this large woman bearing down on that tiny little boy who was shuddering with unshed sobs as he slept in her lap.

Eventually, when it was time to take Francine into the doctor, I opened up and I reported her to the doc.  "Not much we can do.  Parents take offence when you try to interfere", the doctor said.

I walked off with Francine-Rose and her meds in her push-chair.  I had promised her a treat.  We went off to get it.  And as I walked I thought - if that was another adult and he had been assaulted in the same way - she could have found herself in trouble.

Is there ever an excuse for venting your anger on a defenceless child?

I think not.

This entry is dedicated to all little children everywhere who are abused either physically or emotionally.

All good things must come to an end!!

Can't believe I was recently spring-cleaning the house for my son and family's visit!  And they have been and gone already.  The days just fly by when you are having fun, don't they?

And fun I had.  Just take a look at what I did by clicking here.  Can you actually believe that was me with my fear of heights (now conquered!)?  I felt as if I could tackle anything after that amazing experience!  If ever the opportunity arises, I recommend it!

Amazingly, I did not need to take pain killers for my neck for 24 hours afterward - quite an interesting fact since it hurt me to have to look upwards and to my right for the camera.  I'm not an expert on these things - but I would say it was due to the adrenalin that probably remained in my system.

It was really an up and down time - literally!

What a shame that in today's world most families are separated by distance.  It must have been wonderful in days gone by to share co-existing homes or at least live in the same town to be able to pop in for a cup of tea and a chat, baby-sit or look after a family member in need of some TLC.

Until next time then - see you - I am off to take a pain killer (again).

Great preparations!

Great preparations went on in our home this morning - I guess the dust was flying and things which had been out of place for eons suddenly found a home.  That's because my son is coming to visit for a few days!  Hooray!  I think all the excitement I feel when we have a visitor turns into panic - the place can NEVER be perfect enough...and it's this way no matter who comes to stay.

My Mom was the same - you'd think the Queen was coming to stay she'd scrub and spring-clean for weeks.  Well I am not EXACTLY of the same moral fibre.  I gave up halfway through the morning in the study and tossed everything that was out of place into a box and made a promise to the box that I would sort it once my visitors have left.

How on earth human beings produce so much clutter between them, will forever remain a mystery.  Things deemed too precious to toss away - and most likely you wouldn't miss them if you did!  Oh no, but hold on a moment here - I stand to be severely reprimanded.  It's PRECISELY when you throw things away that you will need them the very next day after the garbage truck has been and gone.  Oh yes, I had forgotten - that is the way it is.  Hold onto it with all you are worth and carry it from home to home and guess what?  You'll NEVER need it (until the day you throw it away of course).  Murphy's Law.

Seriously, I wonder how many of us have longed for a home that looks as if it stepped right out of the latest Home magazine?

 

Guess this is what we all strive for...and many only achieve if they can afford holiday homes in far-away places - because then they are seldom used.  But - it's so nice to dream!