10th November: Kitchen madness

I joined Simon for lunch and dinner, only to find that his main course was missing on both occasions, and the desserts had been replaced with soup! It has been a very hot day, and I guess it is even hotter in the hospital kitchens. They could be forgiven for making mistakes in those conditions, although I do wonder whether the kitchen porters ate all the ice-creams! Fortunately, I was able to source some decent food from outside. Otherwise spent the day marking and sun-dodging. Home to water the garden, the plants were so thirsty I could hear them giggling afterwards. Then a welcome dip in the pool for me, it was like stepping into a tepid bath, just gorgeous. I may have another splash before bedtime.

Henry, the broker, rang to say that our forms have been accepted by the bank, and we just wait now for the Land Registry to give us approval. Simon's occupational therapist is going to arrange a visit to our new house with Simon as soon as we get the keys. She will be able to tell us what modifications are absolutely necessary before he can come home. This will be a great help. Really looking forward to getting settled. Simon has picked out his wide-screen TV (50 inches!).

All good, love Marian x

9th November: Sizzling in Adelaide

We are having a big heatwave - expecting 37+ degrees for the next two days. I am battling to save plants and the lawn (which I had only just rescued from last year). Have enjoyed swimming in the pool, just wish that Simon could get in there with me. Simon got in the pool at rehab for his hydrotherapy session today, and he did enjoy it. He looked particularly handsome in a Hawaiian style beach shirt this morning, everyone was complementing him on it. I will see if I can get him some lighter gear now that it is warming up.
Our mortgage broker came to the hospital to meet Simon today and to take his signature on a number of documents. The broker, Henry, was worried that Simon's signature is inconsistent and might not be accepted by the Land Registry. I thought this was a bit silly really, we have to ID ourselves dozens of times in this house-buying process, and it can't be the first time that a stroke victim has bought a property. Anyway, he could sign it with his thumbprint and deposit some DNA if they were really concerned about it. While Henry was obsessed with this detail, in passing, he mentioned to me that I would owe around $700,000 in two weeks time. "Don't worry" said Henry.... I am quietly frantic and keep finding myself humming that tune by the Valentino Brothers!
Worked on a draft of a student's Masters dissertation today - I am hoping that she can make all of the amendments that I have suggested overnight because it is due in tomorrow and she leaves for India on Thursday. As always, I have selected a very serious examiner for her (because I believe this adds value to the work and the student), and as always, I will spend the next fortnight worrying about it. My student is going back to India for a Hindi family wedding. I once had the privelege of attending one of the five ceremonies at a Hindu wedding - it was just spectacular. I was dressed to the nines but have never felt so under-dressed!
My neighbour, Jan, went xmas shopping at the weekend. I felt a sudden panic, then realised that xmas is a good six weeks away. Simon and I read the catalogue from the Reject Shop and decided that we would get all of our family xmas presents from there. They are unbelievably naff, but we know that you will treasure them!
Love Marian xx

8th November: Simon's first blog post

Sprang Simon from Rehab at midday, and straight home for lunch. It was a glorious day and we spent the afternoon under the verandah. I combined this with ironing and swimming while Simon had the occasional snooze. It turns out that I don't mind doing the ironing outdoors. We picked some nice tunes, my favourite this afternoon was an old collection by the Pretenders. Also discovered a small treasure: the original of "Money's too tight (to mention)" which I had always attributed to Simply Red. Not so. It was the Valentino Brothers and their version is just superb. Get downloading....
Mel phoned this afternoon, she has managed to sell our car (the Camry), well done, Mel. Another talent to add to your list.
Simon is happily esconced in his recliner watching Rockwiz - he knows all the answers before they have finished the question! Today he managed to find his way to this blog and has made his first posting! Scroll down a few days and you will find his message.
Thanks for messages from David McGladdery and Pernille, he really loves to hear from you.

Love Marian x

6th November: Koala on Campus

Just back from my second visit to Simon today. Unfortunately, he missed out on his swim again. I could not get at the reason why and the day shift staff had gone off duty. I wish they would stop messing him around, it just upsets and confuses him. The good news is that we have a tentative date for settlement on our new house: 17th November. I can't be absolutely certain of that, but it should be thereabouts. This means we will have a couple of weeks to get in and do the urgent modifications and may be able to get Simon home by early December when Asher arrives.

Knocked out two more syllabuses today, and thought I had finished, only to find another one incubating in my inbox when I got home. Also found this wonderful notice from the Social Science Administration team:

"A male koala has regularly been seen on campus, especially around the Social Sciences north and south buildings. Many staff and students have provided water for him during heat waves when he tends to come into our courtyards. Several staff have contacted Cleland Wildlife Park enquiring about the behaviour of the koala and as a consequence of these enquiries, a vet is willing to come on campus, hopefully locate the koala and examine it to establish if there are any medical issues. This animal is not dangerous or aggressive and because it appears to be quite thirsty, it will follow anyone who is in possession of a water bottle. You are to exercise precaution but the little guy only wants a drink and will be pleased if you can provide it (and dispose of your water bottle afterwards). He will try to hold the bottle in his claws so be mindful of this to avoid any scratches. Water is a very important commodity for the survival of the koala so please help where you can."

Flinders is special. This year we are having our xmas outing to Kensington Bowling and Tennis Club. I plan to try my hand at bowls.

Warm weekend approaching - shorts alert!

Love Marian xx

November 5th: Melbourne Cup week

Sorry for the lack of blogging this week, been busy and a bit tired in the evenings. Simon had his first dip in the pool at last on Wednesday - he complained that the physios didn't let him have any fun, they made him work the whole session! He gets another swim on Friday. They have worked him very hard this week. One reward, he got third place in the rehab sweepstake on the Melbourne Cup netting a whopping $6. I didn't manage to get a bet on, but would have lost anyway. Melbourne Cup day coincides with my arrival as a migrant in Australia - it has been an eventful four years.

Meanwhile I've been getting the marking done, dealing with research students, and syllabus writing.

There is a technician coming to our house in the morning to try to raise the height of our bed. At present it is a bit low for transferring to and from the wheelchair and I have kittens every time Simon attempts this. Fortunately, last weekend all went reasonably well. However, it will be nice to have the comfort of a level transfer. We would really like one of those whizz bang beds that goes up and down and raises the backrest etc.

Thanks to Blake for the advice re computer software. I had a look at this and realised that Simon's speech would not be consistent enough for voice recognition just now, but while on that search I discovered a site, Technical Solutions Australia, that does electronics for the disabled, they have a catalogue of neat stuff including touch screen and 'read back' kit (boasting an application that does genuine Ozzie accents!). I love the idea of a computer that says "Don't come the raw prawn with me, ya Dingo!". I have emailed them to ask for advice.

Caught up with my sister, Margaret, briefly on Wednesday. She had a nice holiday in Queensland, but already feels like she needs another one. She is always buzzing about helping someone. No rest for the 'retired'.

We are expecting nice weather for the weekend. Simon will come home overnight Saturday to Sunday. This time I aim to be better prepared.

Thanks for the phone call from Nick, your message got through loud and clear. Also thanks to Shirley for the postcards that we all received this week.

Love Marian xx

2nd November: marking my socks off

Have spent much of today marking. Not a bad job, and I really enjoy reading some of the students' work, especially the reflective stuff. Happily, most of those I marked today got over the standard, and some by a long margin which is very pleasing.

Dropped in to see Simon at lunchtime, he was in a physio session, and all is going well there. I was, of course, quizzed about our weekend at home. We made it, not easily, but at least I know this is achievable even with the minimum facilities and equipment. I could do with two sets of eyes and hands and a lesser weight disadvantage. We are both working on the latter.

Thanks for the message from Nick B today. Simon was still in physio, but the nurse wrote down exactly what you said. Good on ya, Nick.

We have plunged from 33 degrees to 16 degrees in the last hour. What a strange climate this is. However, we are grateful for the rain which may just save the lawn.

Today's picture is of Simon and our neighbour, Jan. Guess what guys, she is available! Get posting....

Love, Marian x

1st November: Long weekend

I managed to spring Simon from Rehab on Friday evening, and we have spent two whole days and nights together. This was fantastic, although I will not pretend that it was easy. We don't have an accessible bathroom at this house which makes life very difficult. We improvised quite well, and Simon has returned to rehab this evening in good shape. It was good to wake up together and just be able to potter around in the morning. Lazy breakfasts on the patio, and no hurry to get on the road which is our usual story on Saturdays and Sundays. Our neighbour, Jan, came over on Saturday afternoon, we cooked up some burgers and snags with some salad. This evening we had tender roast lamb with rosemary, roast spuds and three veg. Very good to see Simon eating his veggies.

We had to do a bit of sun-dodging this weekend, temperature over 30 and some wicked UV rays. I dipped in the pool several times today to cool off, but never in front of Simon - I so wish he could get in the pool with me. I know it can be done, but it will take four strong lads.

Simon spent a lot of time listening to his music, we raided the music room several times for long forgotten CDs. My pick was Prince "The Hits 1" album - that took us back to our youth, and we were dancing.

I mowed the lawn today and fear that I have already lost the battle. With just one week of hot, dry weather it has started to turn brown. I have raked and forked it, and plan to get some water on it this evening, but I fear it is not going to flourish. We have had so much rain here, but it never seems to be enough, I guess the ground water is low. At the new house we have a massive rainwater tank, it is almost the size of an apartment that I once lived in. That should help with Si's gardening plans.

Feeling good,

Love Marian xx