Monday, December 22, 2008

Last Minute Scraming The weekend before Christmas!

Mike and I decided that we deserve a little pampering today. Or rather, I needed to go for my long overdue facial appointment, before the blackheads on my nose accumulates into little mole-hill, and frown lines turn to train tracks. We made an appointment at House at Dempsey, thinking that we could let Nic play at Go Go Bambini. Nope, the child needs to be accompanied with an adult. So how? Mike got to do his massage in quiet bliss, while I had my facial done with Nic in the room with me.

And as I laid on the couch while i have lotions and potions lovingly massaged into my face, Nic was up to lots of mischief, poking my face, tickling my feet, sponging my arm and feet with wet cotton balls. I guess its the best time for her to "get back" at me. I couldn't protest or yell at her, and more importantly, I couldn't smack her. So there I was, lying there...while she carried on with her mischief.

On days like these, I wish I could have some time out.

With Christmas just round the corner, we decided to have some shopping done at Vivo City right after our pampering session. I have not gotten her Christmas present for Nic, simply because having her shadowing me on every shopping trips, where's the element of surprise?

Anyway, we did get a bit of Christmas shopping done today...for Nic. Nic decided to get some presents for Grandpa, Grandma, Daddy and Mummy. I helped her a little with the "budgeting" and gift selection. While i suggested getting chocolates for everyone (Can't go wrong with chocolates...everyone loves chocolates, no?), she insisted on getting something that can be "used". I am not spoiling her surprise for the 3 of them. Think she is gonna get Daddy to help her buy my pressie. I just thought she is just so sweet and thoughtful. Awwww

Thursday, December 11, 2008

3 Strikes and We Got Lucky

Went for the Zometa jab today. It has been pretty routine, a non-event. Except that today, my veins went into hiding, and the nurses seem to be having a pretty time looking for one. So I had 2 pricks on my hand, and the 3rd lucky strike on my arm.

Sigh...feel like a pin-cushion today

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Oh What a Night!

I just went thru almost 24 hours without sleep, save for a couple of cat naps.

I was up at around 3 am surfing the web, when Mum called. She said that Dad was breathless, and gasping for air, and needs to go to the hospital asap. I called for the ambulance, while Mike, Nic and myself made our way to the hospital Emergency Room.

At the hospital, the doctors and nurses attended to my Dad while we waited around, trying to stay awake. Our heart sank when the Doc told us that Dad is seriously ill, and need to be intubated to help with his breathing. They will also need to ward him in ICU to observe him, and put him thru' his dialysis treatment. The Doc also said that his condition isn't very good, and there may be a chance that his condition may take a turn for the worse, and we are to be prepared.

Mum broke down at this point, lamenting about how she should have spend more time with him, should have talk to him more...At this point in time, I have my regrets as well. I do find it a bore listening him to him ramble about stories of days gone by. Despite his ramblings, I still do love him dearly. It was a really sad to see him all hooked up to the machines, and seeing him so uncomfortable with the tube down his throat. It was such a sorry sight, and i just felt so helpless seeing him lying there.

The nurses usher us to the Family Lounge where we could rest, and for the next 8 hours, we waited...

At around 5 plus in the morning, a family of 22 adults and 4 children (not above the age of 6) descended upon the Family Lounge like nesting crows to an angsana tree! In the small tiny room next to the ICU, there was chattering, and giggling, it is hard to imagine that they are anxiously awaiting the news of their loved one who is warded in the ICU. It felt more like a Hari Raya gathering. For a person who hasn't slept a wink, i was pissed with the noise, and the inappropriate festivity in the room. Argh..

Dad was hooked up on the dialysis machine at around 7 am. As the machine works its magic, Dad regains his ability to breathe on his own again. He look and felt better, and have been transferred to the general ward this afternoon. It seems like a close shave for my Dad...i guess God is still doing up my Dad's room :)

"In My Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you."

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Empty Nest Symdrome

Its a long overdue process, i know.
But the inevitable has happen.

Tonight Nic decides that she does not want to sleep with Daddy and Mummy anymore. She has decided that she wants her own space and have moved out from our bedroom. Yes, we helped her with the shifting, and asked her over and over again if she wants to reconsider her decision. But she was determined that there is no turning back on her decision.

We have been trying to get Nic to sleep n her own room since she was 4. We did up her room nicely, and involved her in many ways in doing up her bedroom. Each time, just before bedtime, we would tuck her in, read her a story, wait till she falls asleep before quietly sneaking out of the bedroom. However, time and time again, she would open her eyes as we made our quiet exit. And the next thing you know, she is back in our room again, sleeping on the mattress beside our bed. We have resigned ourselves to having her as our bedroom companion. Its not too bad afterall. We love having her company, and it helps us save electricity as well since we would be utilising one aircon unit.

Anyway, not too sure what came over her tonight. It is almost out of the blue, as we have not brought up the subject in a long time. Despite our little success, its kind of bittersweet, as it seems our little darling is a baby no more....

My baby will be turning 7 in 10 days time...She is growing up so quickly...Where have all the time been, i wonder...Nonetheless, I am glad I am around to savour the moment

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Sixty Uses of Salt

This is one of those forwarded emails that i got from a friend. Thought it is a very useful information so i would like to post it here to share.

“Although you may not realize it, simple table salt has a great number of uses other than simply seasoning your food.

The following list will give you sixty uses of salt, many of which you probably didn’t realize :-

1. If you drop a whole egg on the floor, pour salt all over the egg, let it sit for awhile, then use dustpan, the egg will come right up, without all that mess. Contributed by Ms. Jerry McGinnis.
2. Soak stained hankies in salt water before washing.
3. Sprinkle salt on your shelves to keep ants away.
4. Soak fish in salt water before decaling; the scales will come off easier.
5. Put a few grains of rice in your saltshaker for easier pouring.
6. Add salt to green salads to prevent wilting.
7. Test the freshness of eggs in a cup of salt water; fresh eggs sink; bad ones float.
8. Add a little salt to your boiling water when cooking eggs; a cracked egg will stay in its shell this way.
9. A tiny pinch of salt with egg whites makes them beat up fluffier.
10. Soak wrinkled apples in a mildly salted water solution to perk them up.
11. Rub salt on your pancake griddle and your flapjacks won’t stick.
12. Soak toothbrushes in salt water before you first use them; they will last longer.
13. Use salt to clean your discolored coffee pot.
14. Mix salt with turpentine to whiten you bathtub and toilet bowl.
15. Soak your nuts in salt brine overnight and they will crack out of their shells whole. Just tap the end of the shell with a hammer to break it open easily.
16. Boil clothes pins in salt water before using them and they will last longer.
17. Clean brass, copper and pewter with paste made of salt and vinegar, thickened with flour
18. Add a little salt to the water your cut flowers will stand in for a longer life.
19. Pour a mound of salt on an ink spot on your carpet; let the salt soak up the stain.
20. Clean your iron by rubbing some salt on the damp cloth on the ironing surface.
21. Adding a little salt to the water when cooking foods in a double boiler will make the food cook faster.
22. Use a mixture of salt and lemon juice to clean piano keys.
23. To fill plaster holes in your walls, use equal parts of salt and starch, with just enough water to make stiff putty.
24. Rinse a sore eye with a little salt water.
25. Mildly salted water makes an effective mouthwash. Use it hot for a sore throat gargle.
26. Dry salt sprinkled on your toothbrush makes a good tooth polisher.
27. Use salt for killing weeds in your lawn.
28. Eliminate excess suds with a sprinkle of salt.
29. A dash of salt in warm milk makes a more relaxing beverage.
30. Before using new glasses, soak them in warm salty water for a while.
31. A dash of salt enhances the taste of tea.
32. Salt improves the taste of cooking apples.
33. Soak your clothesline in salt water to prevent your clothes from freezing to the line; likewise, use salt in your final rinse to prevent the clothes from freezing.
34. Rub any wicker furniture you may have with salt water to prevent yellowing.
35. Freshen sponges by soaking them in salt water.
36. Add raw potatoes to stews and soups that are too salty.
37. Soak enamel pans in salt water overnight and boil salt water in them next day to remove burned-on stains.
38. Clean your greens in salt water for easier removal of dirt.
39. Gelatin sets more quickly when a dash of salt is added.
40. Fruits put in mildly salted water after peeling will not discolor.
41. Fabric colors hold fast in salty water wash.
42. Milk stays fresh longer when a little salt is added.
43. Use equal parts of salt and soda for brushing your teeth.
44. Sprinkle salt in your oven before scrubbing clean.
45. Soaked discolored glass in a salt and vinegar solution to remove stains.
46. Clean greasy pans with a paper towel and salt.
47. Salty water boils faster when cooking eggs.
48. Add a pinch of salt to whipping cream to make it whip more quickly.
49. Sprinkle salt in milk-scorched pans to remove odour.
50. A dash of salt improves the taste of coffee.
51. Boil mismatched hose in salty water and they will come out matched.
52. Salt and soda will sweeten the odor of your refrigerator.
53. Cover wine-stained fabric with salt; rinse in cool water later..
54. Remove offensive odours from stove with salt and cinnamon.
55. A pinch of salt improves the flavor of cocoa.
56. To remove grease stains in clothing, mix one part salt to four parts alcohol.
57. Salt and lemon juice removes mildew.
58. Sprinkle salt between sidewalk bricks where you don’t want grass growing.
59. Polish your old kerosene lamp with salt for a brighter look. Remove odors from sink drainpipes with a strong, hot solution of salt water.
60. If a pie bubbles over in your oven, put a handful of salt on top of the spilled juice. The mess won’t smell and will bake into a dry, light crust which will wipe off easily when the oven has cooled.“

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Fast Car Ain't Gonna impress Nic

Who would think, a car like this is not gonna impress my little Nic

We had just parked our car at the carpark, and were making our way to the shopping mall, when we pass a beautiful shiny silver car parked in one of the lots. She remarked: " Mummy, Look! This car must be for short people, the car is so small!"

I gasped" did you know how expensive this car is?"
"No, but the car is so small, how can it be expensive?" Hmmm

I guess it will take a couple more years before she truely appreciates and understand the value of a shiny silver porsche.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

IZ - Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World

Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwoʻole (May 20, 1959 – June 26, 1997)

I love this version of the song. Listening to it gives me a sense of calm, and a sese of hope that everything will be ok, and things will be well tomorrow.

Due for my routine jab tomorrow. Its amazing how time flies. Days seems to melt into months, and very soon months into years. Another year is drawing to an end pretty soon. With the current economic turmoil, I do hope that the coming year will bring more cheer.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Documentary - In the Face of Death

A blogger whose blog i have been following closely, will be featured in a documentry "In the Face of Death" tonight at 10.30pm on Channel 8 here in singapore. It will be about her battle with cancer.

Do drop by her blog. She is an inspiration to me, and I believe many who follows her blog as well.