Month: May 2024

It has been a tumultuous week – all things considered. On Monday (13th) – as I was shopping – I had a telephone call. I never go without my mobile (cell) phone these days in case the hospital or doctor calls and in this instance, it was Quorn Hospital, and it was a call that changed everything. What they told me was that Annabell is being moved back to Whyalla perhaps this week – or early next week. To say that I was overjoyed is putting it mildly. I have been waiting for such a call for over four months. Not quite sure how I finished the shopping – but I did. This was followed by telephone calls from Whyalla to tell me that there was a place for Annabell, and they were preparing to get her back. They could not promise but they were trying for this week. After that,  telephone calls came thick and fast, and I spent the rest of the day running around signing forms here and there. However, it was all worth the stress and on Thursday 16th May (TODAY ) Annabell was driven by ambulance from Flinders House in Quorn and  transported back to  Yeltana here in  Whyalla. Annabell is home – well not actually in the house with me, but ‘ home’ as in town. I have had the boys at hospital with me and they need me to gain entrance since I have the only security pass for the moment. They will get their passes next week. In the meantime, we go together.

Howeffer…. while all her clothes were packed and sent down from Quorn a lot of her things were left behind. They were supposed to go with her but in the rush they were missed – so – I am heading up to Quorn in the morning to get the rest of her things and – most importantly – her prized Teddy Bear Blanket. I have decided to leave as soon as I can, get there, get the things and – possible stop off for coffee and scones at Ticklyebelly Hill on the way back. Depends – not sure if Benji is acceptable, so we’ll see.

Annabell, when I finally get to see her, was glad to be back. She was a very different person from the one in Quorn – bubbly, cheerful and full of laughter. But it had been a long day for her and she was tired so when the boys and I came after dinner, she was sleepy and tired so we didn’t stay very long. I did ask her if  she wanted to come from a drive in the car up to Quorn but she wasn’t keen on that idea at all.

I will miss Quorn. The people there were really nice, thoughtful and considerate and looked after Annabell  very well. I will not miss the driving – even although I was starting to come to terms with Pichi Richi Pass, I am thankful that I do not have to do it anymore.

So, a very busy and exciting few days but things will settle down , and we are just so very happy to have Annabell close to us again.

Annabell is still in Quorn and I am still visiting her. A lot of the time she does not know who I am but that’s ok – I know who she is. Other times she is partly awake, and she recognizes me. Since my rescue of the Kitten, I have been reluctant to leave Benji and the kitten alone in the house together. Benji does not like her.  The only way I could do that is to restrict his movements – which is really unfair. So, Benji has sort of benefitted in that he gets to travel to Quorn with me to visit Annabell three times a week. I like his kind of travelling – he curls up on the front seat and goes to sleep. It takes me a little bit longer to get to Quorn now, mainly because I stop to let him have a “comfort Break”. One time I took him, and I was overjoyed. We went into Annabell’s room – she was awake and I told her we had a visitor. I lifted Benji up so she could see him. She looked at him and to my great joy she spoke to him – ” Hello Baby”. I have to confess that I was greatly moved by this.  Tomorrow (Saturday) might be the last time I have Benji with me for a bit.  I no longer have a kitten to look after. A friend of my son rescues fosters and re-homes kittens, so she has taken the kitten. She did say that it is such a lovely kitten which will grow into a lovely cat she might just decide to keep the kitten herself. However, I will still take Benji to Quorn with me at least one of the three visits – probably the Saturday visit.   Weird— I kind of miss the kitten…

Still no word of Annabell being moved back here, but I am keeping in very close contact (twice last Tuesday) and I will just have to wait for that to happen – we hope not much longer, although, as I have said the Quorn people are lovely and have really looked after Annabell. I cannot praise them enough for the care they have taken of her thus far. One day I did not take Benji with me and almost as soon as I entered the place I was asked            ” where’s the dog today?” and, yes, they have petted Benji when he was with me.  When I was at Quorn on Wednesday, I had to ask Annabell if she wanted her hair done. Took me a bit to get an answer but she did want her hair done so I had to leave her, drive into the town and get some money to pay for it. The cash I did have – after filling up the car – was not enough. I will see tomorrow how that went, and it there is a lot of difference.

The weather has been good these last few weeks – cold in the mornings and at night, but nice during the day – a pleasant 23c.  However, the fact that there has been no rain in South Australia is a concern and I have heard reports of domestic water supply starting to get very low in some places inland. We are ok here for the moment although I did notice that there is a fair loss of water down at the wetlands – the water being about 7-8 feet from the normal waterline. However, the wetlands are not connected to our water system so  the water level there has no bearing on anything other than to indicate that there has been no rain and thus no

water going into the wetland ponds.   I have not been online all that much of late, and I have not had the opportunity to read a lot of posts. Only having odd days at home, I have a lot of work to do, and I must confess that not a lot of it is being done. I do try – indeed – I am very trying   o:) .  One hundred and fifty miles each visit is tiring, so I tend to wind right down when I am home.  I do as much as I can to keep on top of things and, really, I am not too bad. I do not get any help, nor do I want any. I am not struggling, I am managing. When I am home, I still manage to get out with Benji, usually to the wetlands and on a Sunday, we head to the RFDS Stand for breakfast – then the Wetlands.

I was going to talk about the  mass demonstrations  that have taken place here, but I felt that it was too political for this post. All I will say is that I support the cause.