Mephala

Grandma in Hospital

Quite some years ago, I published a post about my very remarkable, really tough grandma. She is now 99 years old and found to have advanced pancreatic cancer. She's still largely lucid although she is forgetful and can't talk much. She can recognise us and ask for things.

I wonder if she knows she has months to live. Surely she must, the ushering into hospital and then soon, out again, the new pain in her abdomen as the pain escalates. It is a terrible way to die, although doctors tell us she will be helped along with morphine.
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What is happening to HIMYM?

How I Met Your Mother is one of the best sitcoms I've ever watched: witty, clever, funny, with an attractive cast and amazing chemistry. Until Season 4 began.

What the heck happened?

Robin and Barney.

The hook-up everyone wanted to happen seems to have killed the show for me.

I have watched 4 episodes already and they all seem flat and boring. No one wants to see Robin and Barney together like that. They are neither acting much like a romantic couple nor merely friends with benefits. There was never much about that, except in the first episode.
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Missing Boy So Much

It hurt me too much to post it here before, but my beloved cat Boy died last April from a heart attack. He was 17 years and 3 months old and had been my baby for 17 years and 2 months.

I don't want to repeat the story because it hurts me too much, but here it is on Five Cats Blog.

I will love you forever, my sweet baby...

Make Your Home Safe For Everyone

When we first got the cats, we had to cat proof the house: no toxic plants, liquid cleaners they could drink, stove safety, etc. With a bun in the oven, one has to begin reading up about child safety and start acquiring baby proofing items.

One of the most comprehensive product sites is KidSafe. They have all kinds of cool gadgets (and neat articles) to keep your kid (and hey, maybe even cat) out of mischief.
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Today's Must-Reads

Cool strange fish from "monster" lake and how to tell if your baby loves you. :D

Gear Freak Mom Uncloseted

I have to admit. I am a gear freak. Point me to nifty gadgets and you'll see an idiot look on my face and a pool of drool at my feet. So it is with phones, computers, solar lighting, pet gear, and even baby gear.

And where to browse and buy them, you ask? With the amount of advertising online, you need to find an objective collator... (more)

Organic Living: Switching to Green Lighting

Not literally of course.

But solar lighting. I'd bought some from the Animal Rescue Site but they didn't last very long. So I was thrilled to find one in Ikea for $19. It has three LEDs and serves as a booklight too! I wish I saw it before buying that crummy one from Borders last year.

Since I am up half the night, this can save me tons of money and the environment too by using it as a computer light and a book light. Will try sewing under it too. It is really very bright!
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Lovely Silver Things

Since I became a mother, I put away my lovely engagement ring, as well as other jewellery my hubby and my mom gave me. Aside from the obvious, primarily, diverting funds previously spent on frivolous adornments on myself to frivolous adornments for baby, as well as for his college fund, I want to teach my son that material things are not important, but social ties are. Still, I enjoy wearing things that mean something to me and these usually find me unexpectedly. Hence I love scouring the web for great finds. I found some lovely cloth dolls from Etsy and some lovely Silver Jewellery from... (more)

Colicky Baby

I am very fortunate Jack was never a colicky baby. I always held him and nursed him whenever he was fussy. That always calmed him down.

Technically, colic is a term for an unexplained bout of crying.

In the past, when a mother had a Fussy Baby, she would give him Natural Gripe Water to ease his Colic Distress.
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Melbourne Holiday in the Making

My friend Carol is planning to bring her whole family to Osaka this June holidays. Although we haven't planned anything (since hubby has taken no leave and Jack is still little) it is nice to ponder where we might go. We might however go to Melbourne some time this year to see Art and Janet with their new sweet Isabella and Minh and Keith with their little Sebastian. Everyone is having babies and since being a mother, I have been immensely enthused about seeing my friends' new babies. Our family and friends have offered us a room to stay should we wish to visit but it is always lovely to... (more)