The way I see it......

NEW blog - Address Change

2009-01-21T07:25:00.002+02:00

I have moved over to www.handwashonlycapetown.blogspot.com yeah yeah I know it is a total pain in the proverbial but I have for a long time wanted to get away from my talkscrap, for a few reasons. Firstly, I chose that name because I thought that I would have a 'scrapbooking' site which clearly didn't happen and secondly, I don't always talk crap! So please please change your reader, thanks.

Busy Week

2009-01-19T10:49:00.003+02:00

The kids go back to school this week and I still have not covered a book. I did the shopping for all of this last week and in fact have still not recovered from the shock of it all. Last year I spent R 1500.00 on stationery for both kids and this year Scott's was R 1200.00 without his text books and Erin's was R 625.00 without her text books. Kinda ridiculous if you ask me. So now I have to cover them all, and no I am clearly not one of those moms that gets off on this kind of thing.

When my computer crashed on Friday and was only really working again on Saturday night. I mentioned to my family that I need to post about me not getting the job, my dearest darling daughter commented that maybe I should not mention that I am applying for jobs on my blog until I get one and then only tell everyone. What do you thing? I think she might be spot on here, but at the same time isn't that what blogging is about? the everyday, whats going on in my life? if I don't mention that I am applying for jobs,what do I mention? hell I don't do much else at the moment, this is a very pressing issue but at the same time I don't want to bore you all to "omg, Jo didn't get the job- again". Let me know soon, so I can let you know about the next job I have applied for LOL.

I DIDNT GET IT!

2009-01-18T07:10:00.002+02:00

I sat with the phone next to me on Friday morning and tried to read. Eventually I got the call. The guys present P.A. called me and explained that he felt that I had too strong a personality and was too similar to his wife! WTF. Yep that's right and the wife has intentions of becoming more involved in his business. During the interview while he was looking through my C.V. he mentioned that his wife does Interior Design but does not have any qualifications, I have a Diploma in Interior Design, so herein lies the problem me thinks - she would be threatened. Oh well I am very positive about the whole thing, I had what it took, I blew him away, and i was just too good. Having a strong personality is something I am proud of, the day anyone describes me as having a weak or less than strong personality would be the time to slit my wrists. LOL. Okay, I was very disappointed for lots of reasons and shed a quick tear which I tend to do when I speak to my friend Tanya on the phone, she just has the ability to make me blub at the best of times. My darling son, Scott says to me "it was only a job mom, it is not serious, anyway it was not meant to be. I bet in 2 weeks time they will have a massive break-in in that house (they work from home) and you would have been in it" (the house). Gotta love kids/teens, not too sure if I love the South African mentality.

And my computer crashed. I had it looked at yesterday at great expense and I need a new hard drive. I dropped it at simply-mels house on Monday and it has been acting funny ever since and finally died on Friday morning just in time to coincide with my doom call. I am now off to take my very willing and able walking partners for a long walk and get some fresh air and perspective.

2nd Interview

2009-01-15T13:44:00.003+02:00

I did the 2ND interview thing today! Talk about a little stressed around the edges. As I said I ticked all the boxes for what they are looking for it was down to the guys preference - myself or another girl/lady/woman whatever. I havent felt so stressed in a long time. It seemed to go well, but I am trying not to get my hopes up. I know a lot of people that he knows in the same industry - it can go either way, it could be a plus or a minus to him. Oh yes, and he was seriously easy on the eye so going to work everyday wont be a grind. I will know the outcome by tomorrow pm.

Job Interview

2009-01-13T18:11:00.002+02:00

Went for a job interview today for a P.A. position, and for once in my life I ticked all the boxes for what they needed, they even wanted a 'mature' woman, and lets face it I am sooooo mature. So I wont bore you with the details just hold thumbs I get it. I should know by the end of the week. All terribly exciting.

On a completely different note my DH gave me a brochure from one of his customers (he does medical disposables) that does colonic hydrotherapy as I have always had a morbid fascination with this 'procedure'. Having read through the text, it seems to be the answer to everything, here's just a few:

Liver sluggishness - I have that! LOL
Fatigue
Headaches
My best one - Difficult weight loss (that's me)
No actually this is my best one - Psycho-emotional symptoms such as lethargy, poor memory, PMS etc.

Now be honest has anyone out there had this 'procedure' and lived to tell the tale?

Lazy Sunday

2009-01-12T19:25:00.000+02:00

I am trying out Picasa for the first time not too sure if I got all this right. I took these pics of Erin and her friend yesterday on their normal Sunday ride. Erin is on bay not the grey. The two of them ride to the Alphen trail in Constantia and are normally on horseback for a couple of hours. I just love all the scenery around them, not many places like this in the world, where you are still welcome to ride your horse on the greenbelts.

Seriously Cute

2009-01-10T12:18:00.003+02:00

My daughter that is! Occasionally she comes up with some crackers. She has gone away for the weekend with a friend and the friends Grandfather on a camping trip with the church they belong to. This is the funny part, we got into the car yesterday to drop her at said friend and I drove off slowly asking her whether she had packed this and that, you know how it goes, toiletries, sleeping bag, pillow, sun protection and I got to swimming costume and I said did you pack your full cozzie or your bikini and she said "the full costume obviously I cant take a bikini its a CHURCH camp". We have already had a couple of calls to say that she is not that happy so we are about to leave to collect her 150km away!

Took the dogs for a magnificent walk up Boyes Drive this morning from the Lakeside side to Kalk Bay for all those Capies that know what I am talking about. It is such a beautiful walk, mountain one side and sea the other, it doesn't get much better than that. I passed my bil and sil 's house which brought back memories of the days when my sil and I walked regularly together, and if you are reading sil, nothing has changed, 2 cars had been broken into on Boyes drive whilst the owners were hiking up the mountain. Damn this crime situation, we walk past people that are clearly distressed out of their minds and it seems so normal, just walk on, police were not even there just the so called 'mountain security men' that watch the cars from the mountain side.

I am still on holiday

2009-01-09T08:19:00.004+02:00

That's right, my DH said to me last night when I sat down with a glass of wine "I thought you were not drinking Monday to Thursday" to which I replied . ..... I am still on holiday. I even took myself off to see a movie yesterday, dropped Erin and a friend off to see Twilight, I couldn't muster up the interest to watch it myself so I went 'downstairs' to the serious Nouveau cinema and caught the only movie starting at the same time. The Christmas Cottage, not particular good, a sort of rip of As it is in Heaven, without the sub-titles and better known actors. You can give it a miss, I enjoyed the popcorn more. I was the only person in the cinema until 2 seconds before the movie started and then I was joined by 2 other women. Damn, I so wanted to sit there all by myself, so funny.

Having read the comments on my Meme post, I cant wait to read everyone elses, hopeful they are more positive than mine. On that note, I am flawed, seriously flawed, I call it like it is and in some instances, tone it down a little. I don't always see the glass half full. I do admire those of you that do continually see it half full, you are at least an inspiration to us all.

Today I am going to attempt to put the house straight after the carpet re-haul, I think my house smells a whole lot better, I have even told the dogs they can only sleep in their beds and not on the carpets, did they listen, we will have to see, it worked last night.

New Year Meme 2009

2009-01-07T15:13:00.003+02:00

1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Went to work in another country.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for this year?
No. Don't be stupid. I will try again though, promise.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No. But my God-child is due any day.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, but my dog Blue died in August very close to my birthday.
5. What countries did you visit?
England.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Patience, wisdom, financial security and a job.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Nothing springs to mind.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Losing 3 kilos.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not getting my children to achieve better marks at school.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Don't know if I could call it the best thing, but Erin's new riding hat had particular significance and her appreciation very rewarding.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
I always feel incredible lucky to have such supportive and fabulous friends. I am often humbled by there tenacity.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
My husbands.
14. Where did most of your money go?
I earn very little and when I do it just seems to get absorbed.
15. What did you get really, really excited about?
When I rented my house out .
A pair of pants that I bought that I feel makes me look a size smaller - yippee.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Falling Slowly - Glen Hansard.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a happier or sadder? b thinner or fatter? c richer or poorer?
a. Sadder (unfortunately)
b. Thinner
c. Poorer
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Listening, and studying.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Yelling, arguing, demanding, eating.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Quietly, with my Mum and partner and my nephew and his girlfriend.
21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
With every puppy I saw.
22. What was your favourite TV programme?
Wallander - BBC, So you think you can dance?
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No.
24. What was the best book you read?
Land of the splendid suns.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Probably old hat to everyone else - The Fallout Boys.
26. What did you want and get?
Sometime with a friend in Johannesburg.
27. What did you want and not get?
A job.
28. What was your favourite film of this year?
Bella, I thought the guy in it was serious eye candy.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
46 omg! I went to college, lunch on my own and then out to dinner at Tanyas house for my favourite food.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
My kids/teens being happy to be photographed.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
The same as 2007 - if it covers up the sins its fine.
32. What kept you sane?
My friends.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I need my hormones checked, I dont fancy anyone and vice versa.
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
The American election.
35. Who did you miss?
My mum and my son Devin in Johannesburg, I dont get to spend nearly enough time with them.
36. Who was the best new person you met?
Mary from Malawi - loved her and Julie a very close 2nd.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Money means very little when you cant be with the ones you love.

Reality Check

2009-01-07T11:01:00.002+02:00

Having spent the last month in the UK and then 5 days in the SA countryside I am finding suburbia a little stifling. I was able to walk out of the door without concern and walk wherever I wanted. I just don't feel comfortable doing that here in Tokai. I took the dogs out this morning, albeit rather late - 9.30am and felt completely isolated, the only people I encountered were gardeners. The further I walked the more unsafe I felt. I ended up at the forest (my intended destination) and realised it was too deserted to stay in so left with 2 grumpy dogs. I then took a different route home and dodged cars and taxis home. Say what you like, SA is not the place for a walk. Like it or not, if I walked up to my local P & P with the dogs, past the prison entrance I would be seen as a nutter or maverick cos nobody else does it. I really hate putting the dogs in the car and driving them to a spot - for a walk.

My house has been turned upside down, we had new carpets fitted yesterday, the house looks way better but I have to get rid of stuff. Anyone need some scrapbooking paper? Its hard to believe that we have so much stuff lurking on the floor! I know, sounds bizarre but its true. Everything had to be moved obviously so my 'office/study/retreat' is now distributed all over the house. With the temperatue as it is I cant find the energy to put it all back. I could of course use the energy that I used on my walk this morning but the dogs are not very good at putting stuff away. Hope I get my mojo back soon.

New Year

2009-01-05T13:36:00.004+02:00

Got back to a whirlwind less than 24 hours at home and rushed off to my friends guest lodge up near Stanford/Hermanus. So I have been chilling and doing very little except spend time with family and friends that are like family. I did actually take my computer along but didn't feel any inclination whatsoever to take it out of the bag. So that's 2 things off my 'thought I was addicted list'. Here are a couple of pics.

Some of the cute residents of Blue Gum.

Iain and Scott went out paddling from a friends cottage on the beach, they are the little specs on the left of the White Shark Diving boat. (Gansbaai, big white country).

Scott doing what he seems to do best, chatting up the chicks.

Tanya and I on New Years Eve.

Happy New Year and I hope it is a good one for all!

Day 29 Update

2008-12-28T17:55:00.003+02:00

I am sitting at Heathrow and posting - what a toss!.

Yep, DH wasn't coping, I wasn't coping and neither were the kids. So I am heading home. As soon as my DH said you re coming home, I felt such a sense of relief I cant describe it. The agency had sent me my 2nd assignment and had left me 'sitting' for what amounted to 14 days pay so I decided that on the grounds of that it really was best to head home. The experience is nearly over, its been fantastic, what a learning curve. Seeing my Mum and spending Christmas with her for the first time in 12 years has also been special. Christmas was pretty quiet for me, my Mum doesn't get all bent outta shape about anything, Christmas included. So a lazy turkey lunch at about 6pm. My nephew Dustin and his gorgeous girlfriend Julie also joined us from London. We were all squeezed into my Mums place, so my bed was in the dining room and we all shared a bathroom. Wasn't too bad, after all I can do anything - remember and there was no poo on the bath or the taps. LOL. Julie is french and had me eating out of her hand in seconds, she was so enchanting. Spending time with her was amazing and hopefully I will see her in Cape Town for a visit soon.

You may remember my bus driver incident the other day, well this morning when I caught the bus from Ipswich to London the bus driver was a scream, and completely restored my love of the middle aged Englishman. Not only that, I needed to print out my ticket (I thought I did) so I asked my Mums neighbour and he asked me a whole lot of questions and whilst chatting he discovered that my poor old Mum would have to drop me of at the bus station this morning for 9am and she was all worried about driving such a distance back home. He said - no worries, I will take you , I didn't know him from a bar of soap and he picked me up at 8am this morning and took me for a scenic drive to the station. WOW I was truly impressed, the sort of thing I would do for someone without thinking and it was great to be on the receiving end. One box of rooibos and a wire Christmas tree decoration coming his way. I think downloading my pics of the family as I sit here may push me over to super toss so I will add the pics when I get home.

Day 22 Monday

2008-12-23T15:56:00.005+02:00

As I don't have much to say in regard my everyday shenanigans, I thought I would write about something I consider seriously important.

Recycling

Okay, so I am obviously going to be generalising, exactly, what I general see. And I really hope that I am wrong but people just don't get it.

Recycling is way down on the list of reducing your carbon footprint or helping the environment. Firstly we need to REDUCE, reduce packaging, use of electricity, reduce the size of the cars manufactured etc. etc. Then the idea is to REUSE, something that people (again I am generalising) don't see as too fashionable, the shops are chockablock with people just buying and buying and buying stuff!! I also buy stuff, of course. The Brits seem to be doing their bit with the whole recycling drive, its actually worrying to see the amount of so called recycling rubbish a small household produces, bags and bags piled high next to the rubbish bins - my point exactly, there seems to be no REDUCING. The school that this house backs on to burns lights inside and outside day and night and school isn't even taking place at the moment.

And something especially for the South Africans. My charge is being collected by her daughter for Christmas, she has packed up all her jewellery (she loves jewellery), she doesn't have much to speak of though considering her age so that it will be 'safe'. She was telling me that her daughter and family went out to the theatre one night and returned to find they had been burgled
and all her jewellery had been stolen. Sound familiar! I had to laugh although I do agree with Andrea at least the guys will probably be caught and put away.

I leave here tomorrow and head back to my Mum, can't wait!

Day 21 Sunday

2008-12-21T22:00:00.004+02:00

Today has got to have been the most boring day I have had here! I even had a nap to pass some time. My charge was up in the night too so I am pretty tired. I woke up because there were lights on so I got up and saw her door ajar. I peeped in and she appeared to be changing. So I crept back to bed thinking that she may have had a urinary accident and I didn't want to embarrass her. It turned out this morning that she had got up thinking that it was morning and tried on her entire wardrobe and had a pile of clothes to be dropped off at the charity shop. Things are certainly going downhill for her in the mental department. This dementia thing is really scary, she is so (well not quite) on top of certain things and other things she has lost it completely. She sometimes doesn't recognise the street where she lives and gets angry with me for correcting her.

No. 1 Christmas Gift

This is such a cool gadget that I saw on Friday, not sure if they are available in SA yet. The ultimate gift - wouldn't you say? Sony ebook reader, this little baby stores 160 books with hours and hours of battery life and can even be read whilst you are sitting in the sun.

Day 20 Saturday

2008-12-20T22:03:00.007+02:00

These days are soooo long. I know that everyone else is having a ball and Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, I am feeling quite miserable about it all. My charge was in a grumpy mood today so it rubs off on me pretty quickly. Today was one of these days:-
My charge having just opened a Christmas card - Who are Peter and Jane?

Me - (very nearly - how the f...... should I know)

My charge - Well if you don't know how am I supposed to know?

I kid you not!! and again, I know I am repeating myself, the above x at least 10.

I am becoming so patient its ridiculous.

Took a couple of pics on my walk today and I got to stroke a few dogs, I cant tell you how much I miss my dogs! Sorry Mel I miss you too. This gorgeous Dalmatian is called Dylan.

Day 19 Friday

2008-12-19T21:02:00.004+02:00

I had loads of time off today so I took a bus to Brooklands which has a couple of big stores so that I could act like a normal person and do some Christmas shopping, cos I got PAID! I waited ages for the bus and then when I got on the bus the driver was bloody rude to put it mildly. He said to me, 'you didn't put your arm out! oh sorry do I have to do that. 'Yes, I didn't have to pick you up! OMG some people really don't enjoy their jobs, bus drivers around here certainly don't. When you don't know the way things work I find my confidence takes such a knock. I then headed off to Argos and unbeknown to me Argos is a catalogue store, we don't have anything like this in SA so I just took one look and thought NO I am not going to humiliate myself by 'doing things strangely' again today. Anyhow what is it with catalogue shopping in a store, no touchy feely thing going on? Not for me thanks I want to see, touch it, check out all the available colours, the product against its competition etc. etc.

When I got home my charge was so pleased to see me, she was worried about me because I had been out for so long (i missed the bus). She had also been out shopping herself and bought me a Christmas present! She is actually so sweet. We have talked about me coming back next year for a stint with her, it is worth it, I get to see my Mum and my 'caring' pays for it.

Day 18 Thursday

2008-12-19T01:12:00.006+02:00

I dragged my charge to another village today. I have been looking for a saddlery shop and there are not too many of them around so we had to venture a little further out. My charge used to live in the area so it was a walk down memory lane for her. The most gorgeous village - Chobham. Oh and that is spelt correctly I kid you not there is a town only a couple of miles up the drag called - Cobham. I took a couple of pics but they are not fabulous but you can get the drift.

This cute little house was actually on a really busy circle, nice car!!

This house was next door to the saddlery shop, I just loved this monument and the poppy wreaths. My charge and I had a really good day today, she is starting to get my sense of humour and she laughs like a drain at me, I cant believe how fond I am becoming of the old duck and vice versa, I think she sees me as much younger than I am. Okay, so maybe I need that analysed. ;)

Day 17 Wednesday

2008-12-17T20:01:00.004+02:00

Today nearly didn't happen - I had a migraine! Yes, something that I have been dreading. When I woke up this morning with the tell tale blurred vision on one side, I knew. I told my charge and she was so fantastic and as sweet as pie. So I dosed myself up with my migraine cocktail shot and slept till 3.45pm. When I appeared from my slumber she was so pleased to see me. She then told me to phone her daughter to tell her that I had been m.i.a. for the day (not sure if she wants it docked off my pay LOL). The charge and I are getting along really well at the moment, she told me that she missed me today. I think she enjoyed me being so called powerless when I was man down.

Just spoke to my DH as well and we have finally got Scott's school report and it is not what I expected. Damn, what is it with kids. He is such a great kid, so much going for him but he just doesn't work hard enough at school. He has worked the whole school holidays, I just wish he would put in the same effort at school. Maybe him throwing he earnings towards his school fees next year would help to get his attention?

In response to some of your comments:-

I have not been made responsible for paying the plumber, not at all my charge was very kind about it in fact we had a laugh about it.

I have spoken to her daughter about her walkabouts and we both agree that the way I am handling it is best. I feel it is more important that she be kept happy as opposed to constantly annoyed with me or another carer.

Back home, Erin flew up to Johannesburg unaccompanied, I havent spoken to her but DH says she was so nervous. She has gone to Aunty Kim for 10 horsey days on their farm. At least I know Erin won't be missing me anymore, Aunty Kim is a brilliant stand in.

I had better go, I am about to sit back and watch the The Royal Variety Performance!

Day 16 Tuesday

2008-12-16T19:55:00.003+02:00

Today was as equally entertaining as yesterday. My charge had her conservative party committee Christmas party. So refusing my help she put together her snack plate or that is nibbles plate to the Brits. Just a weeny bit dodgy as you can imagine. So I got some time off but couldn't do much because I had to wait for the plumber (I 'll get to that later).

Whilst she was away my DH called me, I love talking to my DH, I never seem to run out of stuff to tell him - please note' I love talking' to my DH, the poor guy doesn't get a word in edgeways but he is used to that after 19 years.

My charge arrived home with wait for it - my supper - in a serviette!! You know the typical old lady scene, pile the sandwiches and sausage rolls into a serviette and you have supper!!! OMG I thought how am I going to get out of this one. My diet, thank God for Slimming World - sausage rolls are too many syns I told her. Phew that was close.

Oh and the plumber, my charge has a bath lift which meant I was to bath in the front section of the bath which is impossible to even sit down in. I asked the previous 'carer' about the shower over the bath and she told me it didn't work. Well, after washing in the front of the bath lift for a day or two I decided to try 'work out' how the shower worked. Sorted, and I have been showering ever since. But I came down the stairs this morning and the hallway was wet! Sh........ from me using the shower. Its been sorted, plumber came out this afternoon and siliconed the bath, where the water was escaping. He also asked me if I knew that if the bath lift was switched on when I showered I could consider myself lucky to be alive. Must be my guardian angel because I have been doing that for the last week, I have to switch it on to release the bath lift so that I can stand on it. Anyway all that was a cool 80 quid (R 1200.00), he was here 15mins tops!

Day 15 Monday

2008-12-15T20:44:00.005+02:00

Today started out fine, my charge had an physio appointment at 1pm so we started to talk about that from the moment she got up, how long it would take her to get there, what time to leave etc. x 10. I walked down to the village with her to drop her off and find out what time she would be finished or if I should just wait. Not on your Nellie!! She was having non of that. She dismissed me about 5m before the door of the physio and was quite rude in fact. Again the I don't need you to walk me in or collect me, I don't know how long I will be. I will come home on my own. Ok, I turned and left. I was sort of seething, one thing I refuse to do is argue with this woman, I really don't feel it is part of my job. So what time did she come home - 3.45pm, I eventually went looking for her and she had left the physion at 2pm so was m.i.a. for nearly 2 hours. I have ended up with a headache from the tension of it all, imagine losing your charge one week into the job. There are a couple of cracks appearing in the whole way the agency handles these placement in my humble opinion. My instructions have been given to me by the previous 'carer' that's it! medication doses, the fact that she is not to be left alone in the village. My charge only really accepts anything said to her if it came directly from her daughter. But they haven't told her anything they expect me to bumble along trying to cover up the conspiracy to 'control' her and her behaviour. Her son popped in yesterday afternoon with her grand-daughter for tea. The grand-daughter sat yawning on the sofa and the son spent most of the time getting irritated with her repetitive and mindless chatter. I looked at him and thought 'well at least you can go home in a couple of minutes'.

So after being dismissed at 1pm today I took myself off for an hours walk, I kept the pace up, so with my few walks into the village today as well I have probably done 8km or more. So I least I am keeping fit but feeling a little lonely.

Day 14 Sunday

2008-12-14T17:18:00.004+02:00

Damned if I do and damned if I don't
My charge must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed today. I think it all started because she got up before me, which means she was not woken with her gentle tap on the door and her steaming cup of tea. She did get the tea just at the same time she normally gets it. Of the things I have found very tricky, I have probably mentioned it a thousand times already is when to back off and when not. If I attempt to assist her with a little task eg. closing the curtains she brushes me aside and asks me how I think she has done it for all these years etc. same with making her bed. I asked her if she would like me to/expected me to make her bed. No, she replied she was perfectly happy to make her own bed. This morning I got it because she made her own bed and that was something I should be doing. I am getting really good at sucking it up though, my family are in for a treat when I get home, I should be personality less by then.

She was collected at about midday by her family until 4pm. I headed off to the village to hire a DVD - not a chance all the shops were open but not one of them hires out DVD's and none of them even had a decent selection to buy. I believe it is due to the fantastic satellite channels available here, the market for DVD hire is non-existent. I then tried to hunt (excuse the pun) down a copy of either Pony magazine or My Horse - neither was available in 4 stores. So much for being in the countryside. So not a successful trip out. So here I am back 'at home' watching the box which is not bad considering we just have the basic channels. I like the rest of England have become totally enchanted by Cheryl Cole (member of the girl band Girls Aloud) and I going to watch a couple of hours of TV devoted to them.

Day 13 Saturday

2008-12-13T15:50:00.002+02:00

I have been with my charge for a full week today and believe or not I find myself becoming strangely fond of her, I was told this could happen! Well it has, it has actually been a very rewarding experience. When I arrived last Saturday you will remember I was told a couple of nasty things about her so was expecting the worst, but really she is just a sweet little old lady that is trying really hard to make sense of all the stuff going on around her. I had to go down to the village yesterday at 5pm to collect her from the hairdressers (it was completely dark already). I sat waiting for her in the salon and I immediately picked up her humiliation at being 'collected'. Then she started to get confused over payment and I offered to write out the cheque. She snapped at me and said I dont need you to do that we are not stupid we (her and the hairdresser) can cope thank you!! This job can become very easy when you know when to step back and see things for what they really are - nothing personal. We finally left the salon and she hooked her arm into mine (1st time) and pulled me close aargh! We started to talk about the village and how long she had lived here etc. and we got onto the subject of care and old age homes etc. I was very interested to hear her tell me that she felt she would probably be happier in an old age home and that she hates this 'carer' thing, again nothing personal. The violation of her privacy every 2 - 3 weeks when the 'carer' is changed, the apprehension as to what to expect from each 'carer's personality and the like. It is also not easy for her, I invade her kitchen, her bathroom, her lounge and her spare room, everywhere she turns I am there asking her if I can assist her. And for me it is difficult to know when to step aside and not offer assistance or come up behind her and fix up her botches.

Day 12 Friday

2008-12-12T14:25:00.003+02:00

My charges daughter comes down from London every Friday to pick her up and take her out or shopping or whatever. She invited me along today so I was off and dressed up in no time. The idea was to split up at the shopping centre and meet back which we did. I have to tell you about the car though. I got into the back of the car which was obviously used to cart a dog around in as it was thick with dog hair, I brushed off the seat but was a bit surprised that she didn't even mention the dog hair. On the way back I asked her what sort of dog she had and she replied oh we don't have a dog he died ages ago. And then she said are you referring to all the dog hair ha ha!

I have another clanger for you from last night. My charge didnt finish her dinner so she said to me "dont throw that leftover mash out you can have it for your lunch tomorrow"! The mash was on her plate. Yeah right.

I have just been dropped off back at the house because they have gone out for lunch so I have the place to myself but I think I am going to go out for a long walk. I will take some pics.

Day 11 Thursday

2008-12-11T17:12:00.002+02:00

Today is wearing me down. The patience required all day is very challenging. The old lady asked me to wake her late this morning so I did and then she wanted to know why I had woken her late she has so much to do, shame she has nothing to do today. There is no point arguing with her but its difficult to handle when you know you are right. It is really quite sad to watch someone who was quite obviously capable in her day reduced to this. It is testing my patience to the nth degree. She also made me feel a little upset last night when she asked me to please keep my jackets in my room and not in the hallway with hers, its all in the little things. She also told me not to feed the birds because they do not eat the bread and it brings foxes. So I have been feeding the birds everyday since, what a pleasure to see the little things grab a little something in this cold weather, the bread disappears in seconds.

Today has been a long day and I am really missing my family and my dogs.

I havent been able to go for a walk these last two days which hasnt helped my state of mind hopefully tomorrow will be different as her daughter is fetching her early and taking her closer to London to do some serious Christmas shopping. I will either stay here or catch a lift with them and do my own thing and its pay day too.

Day 10 Wednesday - A day in the life..

2008-12-10T16:07:00.005+02:00

I thought today I would give you an idea of what I do, well just for an hour everyday.

This is pretty typical of everyday since I have been here. The post arrives daily and my charge flips through it and it goes a bit like this..

Charge - What is this? in reaction to a grocery chain flyer.

Me - It is just an advertisement for the CO-OP telling you about their specials at the moment.

Charge - But I don't shop at the CO-OP I shop at Waitrose. Why are they sending this to ME, taken very personally, I don't want this, I don't shop at the CO-OP. Pause for about 1 minute. Why are they sending this wretched thing to me, I don't even know where the CO-OP is? I shop at Waitrose.

Me - Silence.

Charge - Who has now opened up a Christmas card. Who are these people? Do you know them? Can you read this? (I then read it to her). I don't know these people, why are they sending me Christmas cards? (Often the card has a charitable organisations name on it somewhere which causes much confusion for her). I don't know anybody at the Red Cross etc.

Me - I don't know

Chorus x 10 or however many times you can read the above in about 30mins.

I really do feel her frustration though, I this stage I feel sorry for her but I am beginning to understand why the agency changes the 'carer' every 2 to 3 weeks, for it is quite possible that somebody will pull their hair out or worse of course.

A few of you have asked my whereabouts, I am in a little town/village in Surrey but I won't tell you anymore than that in order to protect the guilty.