A mother joins her son

Many of you knew me when Grant and I lived in West, North and East Africa. Many of you were there for me when he passed away two years ago. Thank you!


Grant's mom, Pam outlived her older son. This is not natural and she took his death much harder than I did. In May last year, Pam turned 90 and my sister-in-law, Shelley (my birding mentor and best friend) and I arranged to have a big party for Pam in the retirement center in Marquard.

Pam's 90th birthday 11 May 2019

In the photo  (starting with me at left) is Pam's "younger"   sister, Carole who's 77. Gill her other younger sister, 84. Shelley, the other daughter-in-law. Charles, the only remaining son. Angus, grandson and Bruce, grandson. Great-grandchildren: Liam with me, Joel next to Pam and Abbey kneeling in front.

Charles, wearing the kilt,  played the bagpipes at the party later. It went down very well with the old ladies.

I saw Pam for the four days I spent in Marquard early November. I noticed she had become very frail and the home's sisters told me Pam wasn't coming out of her room much, except to eat lunch once a day.

Two weeks before Christmas she had a sore on her toe. The Doctor treated her for three weeks; it was gout due to high acidity in her bloodstream. I spoke to her last Monday and she said she's in a lot of pain but getting better.

Last night Amanda, my DIL phoned me and said the doctor had contacted her and said Pam was being taken to hospital in a nearby town. She had complained of severe abdominal pains and couldn't swallow.

I didn't think it would help to phone the night staff. But at 7am this morning, I phoned the nurses station and asked after Pam. The staff member I spoke to put me through the third degree. Asked who I was. And what was my relationship to Pamela Elizabeth Hedges. When she was satisfied I was Pam's daughter, she conferred off phone with someone else in her office. Then came back and said: I'm sorry my darling. Your mummy passed away at 9.28 last night.

Apparently they were about to send a policeman to Angus' home to give him the news.  I told them it's OK. I'd notify the family.

Although I had expected the worst, it was still a great shock to actually hear Pam had passed away.

Rest in peace, Mum

Oh whey!

Or should that be: oh WEIGH?


The festive season is over, thank goodness. My Weigh-Less classes started again earlier this week and I was so pleased to see many of the members coming in to weigh, reconnect with their fellow Weigh-Less members and glean motivation from my lecture for the new year.

Last year I discovered an app on my Smartphone and ended up playing with my photos for the group. Since the beginning of December, to keep my members motivated and also as a marketing ploy, I update my status with photos and pithy sayings on a daily basis. My intention (and it works) was to use a play of words. Working for a company called Weigh-Less, makes it rather easy and great fun to use pithy wording with great effect. It definitely catches the attention of contacts on my WhatsApp.


This week coming I have a promotion on my groups and already I've had several queries via WhatsApp or people stopping me in the street as to when they can join.

I also had two weeks off from the farm office and my Avon sales. My accommodation guests were long stays which also made it easy.


I'm about to blog hop this evening and catch up on your news.


HAPPY SATURDAY TO YOU ALL

On the third year of Christmas

As happens this time of the year, we have many functions and parties. On Monday I stopped in at the farm office next door, at 7.30am. I found Ronnie, my landlady and employer, in her large farm dining room. After greeting me, she said: Jo, you're just in time to help make up the staff Christmas gifts.

She buys groceries in bulk and we set out 15 piles of candles, matches, soap, rice, sugar, dried beans, soya mince, sweets and more. Then we placed each into gift bags. Ron and John and Gavin held a braai (BBQ) for the workers at 5 that evening and they each received their presents.


Of course, that morning it was only 8.15 and Ronnie said why not go home and start our holiday! I had been invited to a birthday breakfast in the Valley, which I now could attend.


At midday I drove through to Winterton to set up for our year end Weigh-Less group / Christmas party. I take my hat off tot he 13 members who weighed in that day and who professed they were determined not to throw caution to the wind over the festive season.

 Our Christmas party

Two sisters flanking me - we were wearing Christmas headgear

MERRY CHRISTMAS !