There was a time when I was on top of current affairs - I could hold my own in a conversation - be it Magabe, Malema or Manto related. Then I was able to tell you the number one hit on the top 10, 20 or 40 hit parade. The former courtesy of a car aerial and Cape Talk the latter Five FM - aerial thieving bastard. These days I’m left to my own thoughts and listening to the voices in my head (who by the way are tone deaf and cannot carry a tune)… it would appear the radio is dead.

Tamsyn had her foot operation yesterday. For the last three years she’s been having problems with her left foot, so much so that she had to give up all physical activity for the last year and a half. We’d tried everything, physiotherapy - resting the foot - and even went so far as to try specially designed inner soles, to no avail. Fortunately Mom had a discussion with her hip specialist and he recommended another specialist - hot footing it (I know, lame pun) to Dr Hastings - he pin pointed the problem immediately and recommended surgery.  Fast forward a few months and here we are……

She has to keep the cast on for six weeks and Dr Hastings seems confident she’ll be back to sport by the 2nd term next year. Of course once the cast is off, the real work starts - physiotherapy. She’s been really good about the whole thing and although the prospect of being on crutches for six weeks is daunting - I’m pretty sure the goal at the end is keeping her going.

Of course we couldn’t have done any of this without the help of my folks - Mom has been wonderful and stayed by Tamsyn’s side the whole day yesterday - through several ward changes (long story), a mouthful of anaesthetic (what is one to do when the anaesthetist says to you - kiss your granddaughter goodbye…. you bend down to kiss her - and end up gulping down anaethetic) and numerous bedpans (but we’re not allowed to talk about those).

The fact that there’s a Grade 9 boy in the bed next to Tamsyn - I’m sure has nothing to do with the whispering amongst sisters - or the many surreptitious glances in the mirror by Jessica.

Naturally all her friends had to hear about the op. Aren’t cellphones wonderful

 

As the youngest member of the family is due to be out of action for six weeks, we figured we’d trim the Christmas tree early this year. Armed with a xmas cd, the box of decorations and the tree - we got stuck in.

Turned out the second set of xmas lights were beyond repair.

 

Even got the “I’m really too old for this”  teenager to put on a baubel - literally just one!

*Anyone* can learn to cook in 24 hours - just not me. The other evening Jessica decided she was going to cook us dinner. I know, I too almost fell off the barstool in amazement. She did a really fantastic job of it - with a teensy bit of help from our resident gourmet chef (alas not me, I’m still the thorn in Jaimie’s side).

“It’s easy Mom, you should try it” - ah, the exuberance of youth.

“Supper’s ready”

As Wouter would say…. nom.