Beach and Build

Posted on July 8, 2020 by Helga

Wednesday

Today was the day…

I visited the Beach and the Build.  I first did some work and then headed for the beach to meet up with friends. We were sure to keep our distance and wear masks, but it was super to see them again.

The day was absolutely stunning. Hardly a breath of wind and warm and sunny. It is the lull before the storm. Rain is forecast from tomorrow morning. The arrow is where our build is happening.

While I was there, my managers unexpectedly Skyped me, so I sat in my car and took the call. They had some urgent work for me to do but I had about an hour before I needed to go online and get on with it. So from there I went to the building site.

The thing is that while I want to see the build, the lure is my husband, so when I got there and his car wasn’t there, I didn’t bother going up but headed for home. Half way home, I passed him going in the other direction, so I did a U-turn and got to the build a moment or two after he arrived and we went up together. He has just completed his 3-phase distribution boards so we are all back on track. I spoke to the builder and he is happy.

And here I am in my scullery…I  match the internal cladding!

The internal cladding has begun. They will do more tomorrow when the rain is falling…lounge wall…

Our bathroom sink area with insulation and part of the cladding…

Julian’s floor all boarded up for the storm…

It will be a very good test for our roof. I hope it stays put as those roof sheets are 7m long.

This blog is early as I am going to be going to the airport to pick up Julian, so I thought I’d get it off beforehand.

After yesterday’s blog, I thought to look up a picture of Granny with her red blanket…I found this one from 5th August 2012. I’ve still got the scarf she is wearing there as well.  Happy memories of Granny. 😊So glad we got to spend that time with her.

Corona stats – June/July 2020 – We are now 14th in the world.

  • Tuesday 30th – 6945 new cases – 128 deaths (73543 recoveries/ 75009 active)
  • Wednesday 1st July – 8124 new cases – 92 deaths (76025 recoveries/80559 active)
  • Thursday 2nd July – 8728 new cases – 95 deaths (81999 recoveries/ 83218 active)
  • Friday 3rd July – 9063 new cases – 108 deaths (86298 recoveries/ 87874 active)
  • Saturday 4th July – 10853 new cases – 74 deaths (91227 recoveries/ 93724 active)
  • Sunday 5th July – 8773 new cases – 173 deaths (93317 recoveries/ 100236 active cases
  • Monday 6th July – 8971 new cases – 111 deaths (97848 recoveries / 104563 active cases
  • Tuesday 7th July – 10134 new cases – 192 deaths (102299 recoveries/110054 active

Total cases: 215855   Total deaths: 3502

They say we peak late July/early August, but we’ll see.

Hebrews 10:36

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year and 238 days

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Granny’s Red Blanket

Posted on July 7, 2020 by Helga

Tuesday

Today was the day…

I spent mostly quietly at home, although I did go to the shop for a few things and stopped by Echo, but didn’t take any photos as a friend was also there and I got chatting to her.

David came and had a coffee with me. It was great to catch up with him.

Julian arrives tomorrow evening. Most often when he comes, the sun is shining and sky is blue. Well I’m so glad he is getting in Wednesday and not Thursday because of the forecast…

That’s certainly going to give our new Echo roof a test run. No doubt Werner will be battening down the hatches again. The team are working feverishly to get our internal cladding done. Mike is picking up Courage at 7:30am tomorrow morning so they can get an early start.

Now that winter is here, one of my favourite things is Granny’s Red Blanket. It’s mohair and I keep it on my bed. If I’m feeling cold, I wrap it around my shoulders and actually sleep with it there. So warm and comforting.

It’s lovely to have several of Granny’s things.  Always good to appreciate the little things in life.

I looked up what Mike and I were doing a year ago today. Our house plans were chugging through the Council and so we had time to go walking. On this day we walked over Trappieskop from Kalk Bay to Clovelly…

A good memory!

Corona stats – June/July 2020 – yesterday we crossed 200000 cases and rose to 15th in the world. Not a place we want to be.

  • Monday 29th – 6130 new cases – 73 deaths (70614 recoveries /71121 active – Active overtakes recoveries.)
  • Tuesday 30th – 6945 new cases – 128 deaths (73543 recoveries/ 75009 active)
  • Wednesday 1st July – 8124 new cases – 92 deaths (76025 recoveries/80559 active)
  • Thursday 2nd July – 8728 new cases – 95 deaths (81999 recoveries/ 83218 active)
  • Friday 3rd July – 9063 new cases – 108 deaths (86298 recoveries/ 87874 active)
  • Saturday 4th July – 10853 new cases – 74 deaths (91227 recoveries/ 93724 active)
  • Sunday 5th July – 8773 new cases – 173 deaths (93317 recoveries/ 100236 active cases
  • Monday 6th July – 8971 new cases – 111 deaths (97848 recoveries / 104563 active cases

Total cases: 205721   Total deaths: 3310

Galatians 6:9

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year and 237 days

 

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Pressing Restart!

Posted on July 6, 2020 by Helga

Monday

Today was the day…

I went to see the Orthodontist. It was my first visit back to him since the surgery and a good day to press restart. My recovery is almost half over. Another three weeks and I can chew. I was so excited about seeing him today because I presumed I was going to get my tooth back. He took my little filler tooth off on 12th June so the titanium implant could be put in. I had to wait til today to get it back but I nearly didn’t! When I went in, he was very eager to see how I was doing and how the surgery had turned out. I told him how pleased I was to get my tooth back. To my horror and shock, he said he wasn’t putting it in today.  I said, “No, you are joking!” “Nope,” he said, I’m not going to redo all your wiring to get it back in.” I was mortified. “All my Skype calls,” I said, “it’s been such a long few weeks and this morning I was so excited to be going to the tooth fairy to get my tooth back!” He started examining me.

“Ga,” he said, addressing his oral hygienist, “Do you have her tooth in a box?” “Yes Dr” replied Ga, “Are you going to put it back?” The Dr carried on examining me and after a pause  said, “I just can’t say no to you!” 😁😁

I don’t even mind the elastics as long as I have my gap filled.

This was from last week and the week before…

Swelling is much better. There is still a bit, mainly on my left side, but everything is so much better. Good day to press restart.

I stopped by Echo on my way home. The guys were carrying the heavy bulky internal cladding boards up the stairs…

They were storing them in on our floor ready for cladding tomorrow…

These walls will soon be covered…

There have been a lot of people at Echo and we need to be careful to sanitise after we have been there.

I read a headline that said Gauteng was struggling to be able to accurately report the daily death toll of Covid-19 which may be why yesterday’s death rate suddenly jumped.

Corona stats – June/July 2020 –

  • Sunday 28th – 6334 new cases – 43 deaths (68925 recoveries/66753 active)
  • Monday 29th – 6130 new cases – 73 deaths (70614 recoveries /71121 active – Active overtakes recoveries.)
  • Tuesday 30th – 6945 new cases – 128 deaths (73543 recoveries/ 75009 active)
  • Wednesday 1st July – 8124 new cases – 92 deaths (76025 recoveries/80559 active)
  • Thursday 2nd July – 8728 new cases – 95 deaths (81999 recoveries/ 83218 active)
  • Friday 3rd July – 9063 new cases – 108 deaths (86298 recoveries/ 87874 active)
  • Saturday 4th July – 10853 new cases – 74 deaths (91227 recoveries/ 93724 active)
  • Sunday 5th July – 8773 new cases – 173 deaths (93317 recoveries/ 100236 active cases

Total cases: 196750   Total deaths: 3199

Hebrews 3:14

We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.

Stand firm!

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year and 236 days

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Take Up Your Positions – Stand Firm

Posted on July 5, 2020 by Helga

Sunday

Today was the day…

We spent a bit of time at Echo. This time it was just wandering around, with Mike establishing how high the ceiling will be in the scullery – planning cupboards and standing in awe of how far we have come. Later in the day we met friends there. As they arrived, they took this photo of Mike and I sitting on the ground floor balcony.

There are some surprises. This is one of them. It’s the view from Julian’s study.

While we were at Echo, I got a call from someone who is outside of South Africa and very homesick. She can’t get home because if she does get on a repatriation flight, she may not be able to get back to her job, so she’s stuck in the Middle East for the hot summer months.  It highlighted the difficulties Covid-19 is causing the world over. This is a difficult time for most people. The uncertainty results in anxiety levels rising. Job losses result in huge financial strain and the fear of catching the virus and not knowing how your body will respond adds to the concern. There are a few things that come to mind:

  1. We constantly need to remind ourselves and others that this will pass. It’s not forever. Things will change for the better.
  2. At this time, we need to do things that we enjoy doing, that keep us positive.
  3. We want to be able to look back on this time and say we responded in the best possible way we knew how.  Look forward, stay positive, keep the smile going.
  4. We have to stand firm in trusting God. He knew this would come and He knew we would be on earth for it. He is with us regardless of the future.

We will look for the glimmer of hope. For me, even though the number of new cases rose yesterday, the number of deaths dropped and that is something we want to see.

Corona stats – June/July 2020 –

  • Saturday 27th – 7210 new cases – 73 deaths (67094 recoveries /62293 active)
  • Sunday 28th – 6334 new cases – 43 deaths (68925 recoveries/66753 active)
  • Monday 29th – 6130 new cases – 73 deaths (70614 recoveries /71121 active – Active overtakes recoveries.)
  • Tuesday 30th – 6945 new cases – 128 deaths (73543 recoveries/ 75009 active)
  • Wednesday 1st July – 8124 new cases – 92 deaths (76025 recoveries/80559 active)
  • Thursday 2nd July – 8728 new cases – 95 deaths (81999 recoveries/ 83218 active)
  • Friday 3rd July – 9063 new cases – 108 deaths (86298 recoveries/ 87874 active)
  • Saturday 4th July – 10853 new cases – 74 deaths (91227 recoveries/ 93724 active)

Total cases: 187977  Total deaths: 3026

The Bible verse in my diary for today is altogether appropriate:

2 Chronicles 20:17

Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you.

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year 235 days

 

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An Iffy Day

Posted on July 4, 2020 by Helga

Saturday

Today was the day …

That started off iffy. There are going to be days like this. I’ve said that before! It’s been 17 days since my operation and I’ve had 3 pretty gnarly days, the first one being the day after the operation when I was drugged to a Zombie state! The second was a week or so ago and the third was today.  Today it was all about the food and there are two things that make it irritating:

  1. The novelty has worn off – I’m over soup and mashed avo.
  2. I haven’t lost any weight.

You can imagine that the second reason is the most frustrating. Jaw surgery – sloppy food only and my body says “no problem – I’ll adapt – you shall remain 73kg if it’s the last thing I do!”

Recovery here is a marathon and not a sprint so I have to be patient and move forward one step at a time.

Today was the day when 4 things cheered me up.

  1. I went to Echo with Mike and we measured the distance between the lights and down-lighters. The reason for this is that right now we can see them, but in the next couple of days, the ceiling boards will be installed and they will disappear behind them. We need to know where they are, so Mike mapped them out and we measured from the side walls so we can find them and cut holes for them.  Mike in a mask because there was another team on the floor today putting in the metal rods for the ceiling.
  2.  I went for a walk around the block. The Sun Valley Pond is doing really well. Nice and full after all the rain. As full as last July.
  3. I flossed my teeth! This sounds a bit arb, but this time last week, everything was so swollen in my mouth, I couldn’t get the floss between my teeth. Now I can floss all my teeth except the ones at the very back. I can’t open my mouth wide enough for those. Also, more stitches are coming out. Duh, I figured that one out. The stitches under the skin are the ones that dissolve. Once they’ve dissolved they break from the ones above the skin and they fall out.
  4. I had a wonderful phone call with Stacey. 😍🥰

One day at a time.

My friend asked me if I knew anyone who could tile her shower. I told her about Courage so he went to do it today. She sent me this photo. That’s our Courage!

It’s looking good!

So it wasn’t a bad day after all!

Corona stats – June/July 2020 –

  • Friday 26th – 6215 new cases – 48 deaths (64111 recoveries/ 58139 active)
  • Saturday 27th – 7210 new cases – 73 deaths (67094 recoveries /62293 active)
  • Sunday 28th – 6334 new cases – 43 deaths (68925 recoveries/66753 active)
  • Monday 29th – 6130 new cases – 73 deaths (70614 recoveries /71121 active – Active overtakes recoveries.)
  • Tuesday 30th – 6945 new cases – 128 deaths (73543 recoveries/ 75009 active)
  • Wednesday 1st July – 8124 new cases – 92 deaths (76025 recoveries/80559 active)
  • Thursday 2nd July – 8728 new cases – 95 deaths (81999 recoveries/ 83218 active)
  • Friday 3rd July – 9063 new cases – 108 deaths (86298 recoveries/ 87874 active)

Total cases: 177124 Total deaths: 2952

The Western Cape has had 67351 cases, of which 49362 have recovered. My suburb of Sun Valley has had 11. There have been 1156 new cases over the last 24 hours (up to 1pm today). This is the source.

2 Chronicles 15:7

Be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year and 234 days

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The Roof is On

Posted on July 3, 2020 by Helga

Friday

Today was the day…

Our building got its roof. It was a bit of a surprise for me because I thought today the roof sheeting arrived and tomorrow they put it on. I went down to the site mid-afternoon and voila, the roof was going on. A team of two guys was carrying these 7m long IBR steel corrugated roof sheets up the mountain…

The went all the way up to behind the house…

They were then passed up to the team on the roof…

Who were putting them in place and screwing them down…

Mike and I enjoyed watching the process and seeing the house from a different perspective. This is from the Simon’s Town side. See the roof of the original cottage – it’s just beyond the scaffold.

This is from behind on the Fish Hoek side…you can just see the roof of the original cottage below the balcony.

We are amazed that we have got so far. There was a lot going on at the site today. The window installation on our floor was being finished off….

All the internal doors arrived and got their first coat of paint…

We are well on the way to getting it weather proof, although the top floor still needs windows and doors.

I had a quiet day with a little work and a lot of rest, although I did walk just over 4km. I felt better for it.

And now it’s the weekend!

Corona stats – June/July 2020

  • Thursday 25th –  6579 new cases – 87 deaths (59974 recoveries/ 56109 active)
  • Friday 26th – 6215 new cases – 48 deaths (64111 recoveries/ 58139 active)
  • Saturday 27th – 7210 new cases – 73 deaths (67094 recoveries /62293 active)
  • Sunday 28th – 6334 new cases – 43 deaths (68925 recoveries/66753 active)
  • Monday 29th – 6130 new cases – 73 deaths (70614 recoveries /71121 active – Active overtakes recoveries.
  • Tuesday 30th – 6945 new cases – 128 deaths (73543 recoveries/ 75009 active
  • Wednesday 1st July – 8124 new cases – 92 deaths (76025 recoveries/80559 active
  • Thursday 2nd July – 8728 new cases – 95 deaths (81999 recoveries/ 83218 active

Total cases: 168061. Total deaths: 2844

Philippians 3:14

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me.

Press on.

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year and 233 days

 

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The Evening Shift

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Helga

Thursday

Today was the day…

We did an evening shift at Echo and we have just got home.  Mike spent the day there changing from single phase to three and by 5pm, had just about caught up. He only had a couple more hours to do, so straight after dinner we went back to the site and he got on with it…it was dusk…

He needed to sort this lot out…

And he did…

It meant there are lights on in the house tonight. Mike is so much happier. He’s almost back on track.

I was there earlier in the day when the men were preparing for the roof…

Julian’s lounge with screed.

It’s been a productive day.

Sadly our Corona stats are sky-rocketing now.

Corona stats – June/July 2020

  • Wednesday 24th June – 5688 new cases – 103 deaths (56874 recoveries/ 52717 active)
  • Thursday 25th –  6579 new cases – 87 deaths (59974 recoveries/ 56109 active)
  • Friday 26th – 6215 new cases – 48 deaths (64111 recoveries/ 58139 active)
  • Saturday 27th – 7210 new cases – 73 deaths (67094 recoveries /62293 active)
  • Sunday 28th – 6334 new cases – 43 deaths (68925 recoveries/66753 active)
  • Monday 29th – 6130 new cases – 73 deaths (70614 recoveries /71121 active – Active overtakes recoveries.
  • Tuesday 30th – 6945 new cases – 128 deaths (73543 recoveries/ 75009 active
  • Wednesday 1st July – 8124 cases – 92 deaths (76025 recoveries/80559 active

Total cases: 159333. Total deaths: 2749

Talking of Corona – when I had to have a Covid test in order to be admitted to hospital. It was R850 which the lab sent directly to my medical aid. When I was checking what had been paid today, I found this…

That surprised me.

Matthew 10:22

The one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Stand firm.

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year and 232 days

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Healing!

Posted on July 1, 2020 by Helga

Wednesday

Today was the day…

I started seeing my mouth healing. Stitches started falling out. I thought they ‘dissolved’ but I guess one or two didn’t that memo. The surgery was two weeks ago today and there have been a few surprises.

  • When you have jaw surgery you expect jaw pain. The biggest surprise was the intense ‘sunburn’ sensation on my lip and chin. The lip is now better. My chin is still tender to touch but doesn’t wake me up at night.
  • The bruising was beyond a surprise. It looked absolutely horrendous, especially around my neck, but two weeks later, all healed.
  • They say you should be able to open your mouth  two fingers after 4 weeks, well after 2 weeks, I can nearly fit three!
  • The swelling they say comes down 50% in the first week and 80% after 2 weeks. That’s been pretty accurate. My left side is still slightly puffy. My right side less so.
  • I’ve not had pain pills for a few days. I’m on the mend for sure!

So grateful for that.

Today I had a positive work day. I worked 6 hours. After it all, I went down to Echo to see work done for today.

An amazing thing happened. Yesterday, the electrician came to assess Mike’s work and while he got 90% he did hear startling news that the Council most like won’t allow a single phase and that’s how he has so far wired the entire house. He spent several hours between last night and today finding out his options. Eventually, plan in mind, he and Courage got to work to change it to three-phase. It meant drilling through some of the cement floor. As they uncovered the conduit, to their shock, they found a completely severed wire. It must have been drilled through when the builders were installing one of the light steel frames. Had they not had to open that section up to pull through 3 wires, they wouldn’t have found it and it would have caused untold issues in the years ahead. There was also a lot of water in one of the conduits so they were able to dry that out as well.

Mike was so grateful and could see the fingerprints of God all over the events. Unless the Lord builds the house, they who build it labour in vain.

He is much happier tonight.

The house today waiting for the roof.

The roof is coming soon…

Half of Julian’s top floor has had the screed put down.

Side frames waiting for windows…

Down on my floor, my bedroom no longer has a pile of sand in it, but it does have the main ladder access to the top floor…

My kitchen view today…

So that’s the house update for 1st July.

Corona stats – June 2020

  • Tuesday 23rd – 4518 new cases – 111 deaths (55045 recoveries/48961 active)
  • Wednesday 24th – 5688 new cases – 103 deaths (56874 recoveries/ 52717 active)
  • Thursday 25th –  6579 new cases – 87 deaths (59974 recoveries/ 56109 active)
  • Friday 26th – 6215 new cases – 48 deaths (64111 recoveries/ 58139 active)
  • Saturday 27th – 7210 new cases – 73 deaths (67094 recoveries /62293 active)
  • Sunday 28th – 6334 new cases – 43 deaths (68925 recoveries/66753 active)
  • Monday 29th – 6130 new cases – 73 deaths (70614 recoveries /71121 active – Active overtakes recoveries.
  • Tuesday 30th – 6945 new cases – 128 deaths (73543 recoveries/ 75009 active

Total cases: 151209. Total deaths: 2657

Matthew 24:13

The one who endures to the end will be saved.

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year and 131 days

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Coming Back To Life

Posted on June 30, 2020 by Helga

Tuesday

Today was the day…

I felt I was coming back to life. I was in my pajamas sitting at my computer working when I suddenly heard the truck coming to pick up the trash, only I hadn’t yet put it out. It must have been around 10am (yes, I was still in my pajamas). I jumped up, looked out the window to see where it was and then raced into my bathroom, to my study and to the kitchen gathering all the rubbish. I flew out the garage door in my socks and no mask and dashed across the road in time for the bemused trash man to put out his gloved hand and taken my humble bag. I thanked him, turned and scuttled inside. Yeah! I got the rubbish out in time!

Mike came home from Echo and we had breakfast together and coffee on the balcony. As I sat on the balcony and commented to Mike it was the last day of June 2020, I decided to take a photo.

I wondered what our view will be 3 months from now – on 30th September.

Later I shopped and in the afternoon stopped by Echo to see progress. They are screeding Julian’s floor. We couldn’t get up there to have a look so will have to do that another time. We took a look at how we will lay out the flooring for our level. Excited about that. I mentioned to Werner I wonder if this will be our view by 30th September. He is convinced that this build will be part of his past by the time 30th September rolls around. He wants to be in Spain! The roof sheets arrive on Friday. Next inclement weather is Tuesday. He says the team will work on Saturday to put the roof on.

One of the highlights today was a chicken mayo salad that I bought from the grocery store. Oh my word, it tasted so good. It was finely shredded chicken and I was able to slurp it down. I also tried a naartjie but I’m still not at biting stage and so that was too difficult to eat. Tonight I’m having a child-friendly  cottage pie. It think that will be ‘slurpable’. Being full makes all the difference! The serious sunburn feeling on my lip is better.

A month ago, I closed the door on May feeling somewhat subdued and uncertain. A month later, closing the door on June, I’m ecstatic. On 31st May there was so much uncertainty. Today, the op is over and the build is well under way again. We just need to be very careful regarding Corona. Masks, hand sanitiser and pretty much staying away from too many people should keep us safe. One day at a time. We pray ‘give us this day our daily bread.’ There is enough for today. Tomorrow, there will be more.

Corona stats – June 2020

  • Monday 22nd – 4288 new cases – 61 deaths (53444 recoveries/46155 active)
  • Tuesday 23rd – 4518 new cases – 111 deaths (55045 recoveries/48961 active)
  • Wednesday 24th – 5688 new cases – 103 deaths (56874 recoveries/ 52717 active)
  • Thursday 25th –  6579 new cases – 87 deaths (59974 recoveries/ 56109 active)
  • Friday 26th – 6215 new cases – 48 deaths (64111 recoveries/ 58139 active)
  • Saturday 27th – 7210 new cases – 73 deaths (67094 recoveries /62293 active)
  • Sunday 28th – 6334 new cases – 43 deaths (68925 recoveries/66753 active)
  • Monday 29th – 6130 new cases – 73 deaths (70614 recoveries /71121 active – Active overtakes recoveries.

Total cases: 144264. Total deaths: 2529

Hebrews 12:15

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble.

What wise advice.

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year 230 days

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Photo Update

Posted on June 29, 2020 by Helga

Monday

Today was the day…

I really struggled with what feels like serious sunburn on my lip. It’s the sensation after the operation that will pass, but it woke me up a couple of times in the night. The only remedy is lashings of vaseline which I don’t particularly want to put on in the middle of the night because I don’t want it on my pillow. Que sera sera. It will pass and if that’s all I’ve got to worry about, I have gotten off super lightly!

Mike and I went across to Montague Gardens to buy cable for the internet system at Echo. It was good to get out on this rainy day an do the trip together. He appreciated the company and I appreciated the outing.

I did a few hours work.

I sent a photo to the surgeon comparing last Monday to today. Certainly an improvement from last Monday when I looked and felt quite monstrous! Today, a little less swollen and bruised.  The Professor was very happy. The elastics are really important little additions to my orthodontics as they keep my bite to where it’s meant to be. When I read up on them, I understood the seriousness of keeping them in for at least 23 hours of the day. This is when Corona works for me…masks are wonderful!

It’s been a drizzly day in Cape Town. A quiet Monday for us, although Mike got quite a bit of work done. It started a bit bumpy with a broken garage door at Echo. With all the rain, the wood had swollen and it wouldn’t open. Mike took his sander down and it was fixed in no time. He also got a great contact for our Solar system so will be working on getting that design finished so he can get an accurate quote and our order in.

I called the Medical Aid. They have paid R13000 of the surgeon’s R35000 bill. They paid all of the Assistant surgeon’s R8000 bill because he is contracted to them. The anaethetist’s R13000 bill, I paid and then submitted and they paid nothing. I emailed them querying it and all they did in response was send me a copy of the revised authorisation. Today when I called, the person I spoke to admitted there should be some payment and asked for three business days after which he will phone me. I’ll be waiting. It’s absolutely not possible for them to decline any anaesthetic payment when it was a full in-hospital procedure and I have unlimited funds for in-hospital treatment (except for advanced dentistry to contracted-out surgeons!)

So grateful it’s over. I remember sitting at the end of May wondering what the end of June would look like for me. Now I know. It’s all done and I am on the mend!🤸‍♀️🙏

Corona Stats – June 2020 –

  • Saturday 20th – 4966 new cases  – 46 deaths (50326 recoveries/40478 active)
  • Sunday 21st – 4621 new cases – 53 deaths (51608 recoveries/43764 active)
  • Monday 22nd – 4288 new cases – 61 deaths (53444 recoveries/46155 active)
  • Tuesday 23rd – 4518 new cases – 111 deaths (55045 recoveries/48961 active)
  • Wednesday 24th – 5688 new cases – 103 deaths (56874 recoveries/ 52717 active)
  • Thursday 25th –  6579 new cases – 87 deaths (59974 recoveries/ 56109 active)
  • Friday 26th – 6215 new cases – 48 deaths (64111 recoveries/ 58139 active)
  • Saturday 27th – 7210 new cases – 73 deaths (67094 recoveries /62293 active)
  • Sunday 28th – 6334 new cases – 43 deaths (68925 recoveries/66753 active)

Total cases: 138134. Total deaths: 2456

We hope for the best.

2 Peter 3:18

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever.

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year 229 days

 

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Out & About on a Sunday

Posted on June 28, 2020 by Helga

Sunday

Today was the day…

That began with a walk around the block. This was the first exercise since my operation and I have to admit, I was tired doing this minor not quite 3km walk. I went down to Sun Valley pond which is looking very robust…

This was it on 3rd May….

On my way home, I passed this…it’s a bus shelter that blew across the road in yesterday’s storm…

It took me 35 minutes to lumber round the block. On my return I was so tired, I climbed into bed and that’s where I pretty much stayed until after lunch.

Had a nice Skype call with the Swellendam family.

This afternoon, Mike and I went for a drive. On the way to Scarborough we came across paragliders who were taking off from the side of the road…

There he goes…

The wind dropped after we arrived, so a few of the others couldn’t get into the sky… the wind just didn’t pick up enough. This guy eventually packed up and hiked up the mountain to launch from there.

We continued past Cape Point…

And eventually stopped at Echo. Mike is ready to finish designing the kitchen and here he explained where everything would go…

The builder will give it another push this week. We are aiming for the cladding on the top floor to be complete and the roof to go on. There may be a few showers tomorrow and Thursday, but it looks like most of the rain will be in the second half of July. Hopefully, that will give us enough time to get the building completely weatherproof.

We came home and had a bit of dinner and now I am back in bed and enjoying a quiet evening.

My recovery continues. The main complaint I have is that the left side of my mouth and chin feels like it’s sunburnt. Sometimes, inside the left side of my mouth feels like I have a massive mouth ulcer, although I don’t. It just feels very swollen and tender. The swelling on the right side has gone down. My left cheek is still quite swollen, but the bruising is fading fast. I haven’t taken any pain pills today.  If I don’t take one tonight, it will be the first full day without anything for pain which is great. I have to keep reminding myself that the true recovery period for this operation is 6 weeks. I’ve not arrived at week 2 yet, so need to be patient and expect a few weird aches and pains.

Corona Stats – June 2020 – Yesterday we had the 4th most recorded new cases of Corona in the world.

  • Saturday 20th – 4966 new cases  – 46 deaths (50326 recoveries/40478 active)
  • Sunday 21st – 4621 new cases – 53 deaths (51608 recoveries/43764 active)
  • Monday 22nd – 4288 new cases – 61 deaths (53444 recoveries/46155 active)
  • Tuesday 23rd – 4518 new cases – 111 deaths (55045 recoveries/48961 active)
  • Wednesday 24th – 5688 new cases – 103 deaths (56874 recoveries/ 52717 active)
  • Thursday 25th –  6579 new cases – 87 deaths (59974 recoveries/ 56109 active)
  • Friday 26th – 6215 new cases – 48 deaths (64111 recoveries/ 58139 active)
  • Saturday 27th – 7210 new cases – 73 deaths (67094 recoveries /62293 active)

Total cases: 131800. Total deaths: 2413

We are grateful that our death rate is lower than the world average.

Titus 3:7

Because of His grace, He declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.

That is why the best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year and 228 days.

 

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Echo in a Storm

Posted on June 27, 2020 by Helga

Saturday

Today was the day…

A big day-time storm swept across the Cape. Mike and I went down to Echo early to see how it was standing up to the strong winds. We especially wanted to see Julian’s floor. I took a photo from the back left corner of the top.  This was May 17th…

Today…

At the moment to get to this floor, we climb this ladder…

And arrive on a landing…which is where the stairwell will end…

The front door from the scullery. The front door won’t be visible from this spot because the stairs will be in the way…

The silver lining…

We came home for breakfast and then Mike did some phoning to find out about appliances. There is some urgency we get on to buy our kitchen appliances. As Mike has shopped around, he’s found that a lot of suppliers have no stock. The supply chain is lacking due to the pandemic. Once they have new stock, it will have a new price, so it’s best if we find what we are looking for now. Furthermore, Mike would like to have the appliances bought and stored so he knows the exact dimensions of what we have so he can design the kitchen.

So we spent a few hours this afternoon at Tafelberg Furnishers in Tokai where we bought 4 main appliances .  It’s only the microwave we were not sure about so we passed on that for the moment. We did buy, for the first time in our life, a dishwasher. Also got the fridge, oven and hob.

Came home and had dinner of soup and mashed potato as well as a smoothie. Chocolate mousse for dessert! That worked. I took a Genpayne at 5pm. My first one today.

Storm damage in Cape Town including downed trees…not sure who took the photo..

Quite hectic.

Also hectic are the growing Covid-19 cases in the country. We are going to have white-knuckle it until this storm has passed.

Corona Stats – June 2020 – 18th in the world we are today. Almost doubling by the week.

  • Friday 19th – 3825 new cases – 94 deaths (47825 recoveries/38059 active)
  • Saturday 20th – 4966 new cases  – 46 deaths (50326 recoveries/40478 active)
  • Sunday 21st – 4621 new cases – 53 deaths (51608 recoveries/43764 active)
  • Monday 22nd – 4288 new cases – 61 deaths (53444 recoveries/46155 active)
  • Tuesday 23rd – 4518 new cases – 111 deaths (55045 recoveries/48961 active)
  • Wednesday 24th – 5688 new cases – 103 deaths (56874 recoveries/ 52717 active)
  • Thursday 25th –  6579 new cases – 87 deaths (59974 recoveries/ 56109 active)
  • Friday 26th – 6215 new cases – 48 deaths (64111 recoveries/ 58139 active)

Total cases: 124590. Total deaths: 2340

Galatians 1:15

Even before I was born, God chose me and called me by His marvelous grace.

Yip, before I was born.

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year and 227 days

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Friday Frame of Mind

Posted on June 26, 2020 by Helga

Friday

Today was the day…

I woke up in a far more positive frame of mind. Last night I was googling things like, “when can I brush my teeth after jaw surgery” and came across a blog written 7 years ago by a young lady who had had double jaw surgery – both top and bottom at the same time.😱 It made my journey look like a walk in the park!  As she progressed through the different stages, Christmas rolled around and she wrote she was “jawful and triumphant!” I love that!

Jawful and triumphant – that’s how I felt this morning. I woke up with swollen glands on my right side but there is slow improvement inside and outside of my mouth. The swelling is a teeny bit less. The bruising is slightly better. Little increments of improvement are encouraging. In ten days time, I get my missing tooth back and that too will be good for my mental health.

This morning, I got up and did some work, then I cleaned the kitchen floor, had a shower, washed my hair, got dressed and then got back into bed. 😁

Mike went to the building site to finish up the electrics on our floor. He came home at lunchtime for a couple of hours and then returned to help wrap up with Courage. He should be home shortly.

There have been showers on and off after heavy overnight rain.

Talking of the weather, I’ve been reading a delightful book Julian passed to me. It’s called “Walks and Sketches at the Cape of Good Hope 1805”. The author Robert Semple, describes the weather as such:

“With respect to climate, that of the Cape is upon the whole exceedingly temperate and agreeable, but liable to sudden changes from heat to cold; neither are there those gradual transitions from one season to another that are experienced in Europe. The year is divided into two seasons by the periodic winds. In the summer from the month October to March the wind blows generally from the south-east, and when it is violent brings along with it clouds of sand and dust and forms the most disagreeable part of the climate of the Cape. The air is filled with a fine dust which penetrates, and covers everything, and which is carried off to sea in such quantities and with such violence, that it has been perceived on board of vessels many miles from the coast, and as hath been asserted, even out of sight of land. During the winter monsoon, on the contrary, north west winds prevail, and bring in with them from the sea fogs and clouds and lightning and rain. The clouds are stopped and collected by the high hills of the Cape, before they break and descend in rain, and the rolling noise of the thunder, echoed and re-echoed by the surrounding hills is grand and awful. During the rains, the weather is sometimes cold and chilly even to an Englishman, who looks in vain for the comforts of an English fireside.” (Page 24/25)

Ah, Cape Town climate has not changed.

I had a lovely interlude this afternoon when Stacey called and we had a good chin wag, including a closing video chat with Elsie who echos the words out of her Mom’s mouth. Stacey will say something about an email and Elsie will say email. It’s so cute! I ended probably a little earlier than I usually would have as all the talking left my jaw sore. Speaking using slightly different muscles does make them ache. I need to talk to get those muscles fit but need to to so gradually. I took a pain pill at just before 5pm. It was my first one today.

And now the weekend is here and Mike has arrived at this moment too.

Corona Stats – June 2020 – 18th in the world we are today.

  • Friday 19th – 3825 new cases – 94 deaths (47825 recoveries/38059 active)
  • Saturday 20th – 4966 new cases  – 46 deaths (50326 recoveries/40478 active)
  • Sunday 21st – 4621 new cases – 53 deaths (51608 recoveries/43764 active)
  • Monday 22nd – 4288 new cases – 61 deaths (53444 recoveries/46155 active)
  • Tuesday 23rd – 4518 new cases – 111 deaths (55045 recoveries/48961 active)
  • Wednesday 24th – 5688 new cases – 103 deaths (56874 recoveries/ 52717 active)
  • Thursday 25th –  6579 new cases – 87 deaths (59974 recoveries/ 56109 active – At this rate, I fear the active will soon overtake the recoveries).

Total cases: 118375. Total deaths: 2292

2 Corinthians 8:9

You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that by His poverty He could make you rich.

GRACE – God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year and 226 days.

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A Fragile Day

Posted on June 25, 2020 by Helga

Thursday

Today was the day…

That started as a fragile day. The thing with surgery, especially if it’s quite major is you have to prepare for at least one or more difficult days. For me, today was one. From the moment I opened my eyes and became aware of my mouth, I felt this was the horrid day. The nerve block they used at the end of surgery is now beginning to wear off . There’s still not a lot of pain, but the inside of my mouth feels swollen and sore. The left side of my lip feels very like sunburnt with tiny little blisters. Such a minor issue but so irritating. Because my lower jaw has been moved, my talking muscles have changed, so I need to get to used to those working. 🤔

How blessed am I to have had a little work to do but have the ability to completely rest – duvet day – with the wind picking up and rain forecast, this was no hardship. I made a 30cm shift from my side of the bed to the middle, plumped myself up a cushion and snuggled in bed with  my laptop, my book, cell phone and cappuccino. The birds flitting around the feeder were my company. I also have dumped the ice packs and instead of freezing them – I’m heating them and applying heat to the swelling now. With lashings of Arnica oil and the heat application, I am seeing the bruising fade and the swelling will very gradually come down. This is the comparison of the bruising between Sunday and today…

Mike took Courage to the site and got him started – Mike then came home, I got dressed and took a drive with him to pick up more electrics. Then we went to Echo to drop them off. Werner has been boarding up Julian’s floor ahead of tonight’s storm…

Meanwhile, on my floor, the plastering is being done…

So when we got home, I went straight to bed. I did a bit of work and then I literally spoke to myself and said, “go to sleep Helga and while you sleep you will heal!” I took my first pain pill of the day at 1pm.  I woke up at 3pm feeling so very much better. Mike had made me tea and so I drank that and came and wrote this.  Yay! I have my mo-jo back. Mike will be so happy. He’s gone to pick up Courage.

Yeah! I got through a difficult day!

25th June 2020 – my brother Arnold would have turned 60 today. I remember him with love. 💟

Corona Stats – June 2020 – we are now bracing ourselves for it to get much worse in SA.

  • Thursday 18th – 3478 new cases – 63 deaths (44920 recoveries/37233 active)
  • Friday 19th – 3825 new cases – 94 deaths (47825 recoveries/38059 active)
  • Saturday 20th – 4966 new cases 😨 – 46 deaths (50326 recoveries/40478 active)
  • Sunday 21st – 4621 new cases – 53 deaths (51608 recoveries/43764 active)
  • Monday 22nd – 4288 new cases – 61 deaths (53444 recoveries/46155 active)
  • Tuesday 23rd – 4518 new cases – 111 deaths (55045 recoveries/48961 active)
  • Wednesday 24th – 5688 new cases – 103 deaths (56874 recoveries/ 52717 active)

Total cases: 111 796. Total deaths: 2205

Acts 15:11

We are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.

I so appreciate those words.

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going, even when it’s swollen and sore.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year and 225 days

 

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Getting Back to Normal

Posted on June 24, 2020 by Helga

Wednesday

Today was the day…

I felt I was getting back to normal. The first thing I did after getting dressed was visit my neighbour. I had a delightful floral surprise sent from my sister, Anne. It was so sweet of her. They are delightful. She sent me a whatsapp last night and I decided to call her – we ended up talking for more than an hour. A good catchup. Just look at this ray of sunshine…

Thanks Anne!

I have only had one Genpayne today and that was at 11:15am. I had been a bit foolish in that I’d had nothing but coffee between 7pm last night and 11:15am this morning. I got wrapped up in a company Skype call and did a bit of talking, so my  jaw was sore, my stomach was empty and I felt pretty grim at the end of it. Breakfast and a genpayne sorted all that out! A little rest and I was raring to go. Mike came home for coffee before going to buy some electrical supplies. I had someone come round to collect a contract. Then I was free to visit Echo and see all the activity Mike had spoken of. I got there around 2pm. The folding doors had arrived for our balcony.

Werner wasn’t quite ready for them so he was busy preparing the doorways and the door installation would take place after 4pm. I encountered the electrician…

I chatted to him for a while…I’m allowed to hit on the electrician. Then I went to the shops for the first time in more than a week. Taking the shopping home, I returned to the build just after 4pm. The electrician was still at work..

His distribution board was coming along…

And the door installation was in progress….

Other doors has already been fitted. The front door as well as a side balcony door were in…

And the two Juliet balcony doors were in..

I can’t wait to try them all out hopefully tomorrow.

Definitely feel I’m getting back to normal!

Corona Stats – June 2020

  • Wednesday 17th – 4078 new cases – 79 deaths (44331 recoveries/34407 active)
  • Thursday 18th – 3478 new cases – 63 deaths (44920 recoveries/37233 active)
  • Friday 19th – 3825 new cases – 94 deaths (47825 recoveries/38059 active)
  • Saturday 20th – 4966 new cases 😨 – 46 deaths (50326 recoveries/40478 active)
  • Sunday 21st – 4621 new cases – 53 deaths (51608 recoveries/43764 active)
  • Monday 22nd – 4288 new cases – 61 deaths (53444 recoveries/46155 active)
  • Tuesday 23rd – 4518 new cases – 111 deaths (55045 recoveries/48961 active)

Total cases: 106108. Total deaths: 2102

Matthew 5:9

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year and 224 days

 

Posted in Building a house on a mountainside, Day to Day Blogs, Echo Photos | Tagged | Comments Off on Getting Back to Normal