Last days of 2012

We had a short getaway before the new year. As usual, we headed to our favourite resting place, the hills. Just a few photos below.

We were having a walk, when suddenly a heavy mist descended upon us. The girls were so excited and it grew kinda dark for a while. We felt like we were walking in clouds. So exciting indeed.

We did some art on socks. One side by me, and the other by Nel.

Watched this bird take a delicous drink of nectar

Jo's Photography

Looked for twigs and built this structure

Nel's Photography. Rest are in her own compact. She took lots of photos of caterpillars and birds.

Jo took this shot coz she says, the trees in different distances create different heights.

Kids wanted to learn about Swifts so we took a good look at these nests. Phew...what a smell (stink!!!)

A walk after the rain led us to this beautiful web covered with drops of rain.

Another web covered with drops of rain

Latest interest...rocks and stones. I suppose I will have to get some books on geology.

Beautiful flower on wild banana plant

We also stopped to watch this spider build its web.



Then while walking we chanced on this very peculiar thing...liquid on weed. But when touched, the liquid doesn't fall off. Wish I knew what it was. Excuse the early morning voice.



Finally, on New Year's eve, I spent the most of the day at the hospital checking up my nose, which has not functioned well since my transsphenoidal surgery to remove tumor from my pituitary gland. It gives me occasional headaches. This is the third ENT I've seen, and I think he's solved the problem. What he says is that during my previous surgery, the surgeon created a path in my nose. This path is causing my mucus to flow inwards and recycle itself instead of flowing out. Only way to correct it is by another surgery. We're waiting and not rushing into it yet. Giving it a month to see if it will improve itself first. Praying, Hoping.

Couldn't resist adding one more picture. As I was uploading these pictures, there was the sound of blender whirring downstairs. Twas Jo at work. She just came up and served me this delicious dessert she made. Basically blend vanilla icecream with fresh strawberries, icing sugar and whipped cream. Chill, serve with blueberries and cherry. Yummm....Great job Jo!

In mean time, looking forward to 2013. Praying for a good Year. :) Happy New YEar all.

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Trust...Hope

Sun melting, splattering like hot wax, splashing the sky with hues of yellow-orange, pink, purple and red. Fluttering birds preparing to flock home before sundown, chatter merrily, impatiently…howeverly. I drive home with peace in my heart (or so I think), eagerly anticipating the weekend, the week’s work completed.

Wait, the above was just an imagination (Photo taken in June.) In reality, it's been gloomy, rainy, thundering and all. I'm loving the coolness it brings, the children hate the imprisonment that comes with it. haha...

 At the back of my mind, there are thoughts for dear ones who are not well. A dear friend battling with cancer, my aunt who fell down and shattered her shoulder bone, a dear niece admitted to ER just a while ago with severe vomiting.

 First thing I did was to call my aunt. Instead of a solemn voice, a cheerful voice greeted me at the other end. She has had her surgery done and now has a brand new metal piece in replacement of her shoulder bone. She chirped “Humpty Dumpty fell down and broke her arm,” then  burst into heart roaring laughter. To me that is such courage, that is there due to her years of leaning on her pillar of strength, which is the Lord.

 The Lord,  He who dresses the Lilies of the field, who feeds the sparrows and provides them with shelter, He who decorates the sky each morning and evening. I pray that daily, I will learn to trust Him more, for self growth, and for the healing of these dear ones.

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A picture Jo made for my aunt. She used poster colour amd yellow glitter to create her plant, which she says is magical. Will be mailing it off soon.

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Last month we also celebrated my dear hubby's birthday. Nel badly wanted to buy something for her daddy with her own pocket money. But because I wasn't able to take her shopping, she ended up giving her daddy this here below. :)  Hubby was surprised to find money in the envelop! haha..He doesn't plan on spending the money, and is going to keep it coz he thinks this present is too cute and meaningful. :)

@poundthegarlic.blogspot.com 2012

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Our Mice, and Special Art Project for a Special friend

Can't believe how fast time flies. It's now almost 2 months since I underwent surgery to remove a tumor found near my pituitary gland.  I've gone back to work, but am still cautious about my activities. Just last weekend, I thought it'd be safe to swim. What a huge mistake.

After the swim, I began developing a headache, and by night, the pain was so unbearable I thought I was surely going to end up in the ER again. It felt like there was a knife and electricity in my head. Since my husband was away, all I could do was just to pray and pray and pray. The horrendous pain lasted till about 3am, when suddenly I felt like ice cold water was being poured inside my head. Then somehow, I fell asleep. In the morning, the headache had reduced to a dull headache. Thank God that there is prayer and God to turn to in time of need.

Since I can't do much outdoors yet, we've been doing lots of reading, and little projects. Kids have made a huge variety of playground for their mice. Sadly, I didn't take pictures and playgrounds have been torn down. However, here's a few pictures of our mice. Not very good shots as it's been gloomy and rainy outside, and there was insufficient lighting. Nevertheless, here are some pictures.

First mouse to land on planet milk. :)

Our kids named this male Pipsqueak. Here he's trying to conquer the world in 80 seconds.

This is a blur picture of Lucy, she looks like she's guilty doesn't she? Plotting an escape perhaps? ;)

Another blur shot of Lucy. She was attempting to play this traditional instrument, but fell in instead. haha...

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Finally, today with all classes canceled, we decided to work on a special project for a special person who's not been well. We're just praying and trusting that he will be well. Nothing is impossible. These pieces will be mailed tomorrow.

Jo's art work  -ink and colour pencil.

Nel's art work - Ink, colour pencil and water colour

Mine done in watercolour. It's been sooo long since I picked up the brush. This was a third attempt after two failures. Get well C! Prayers with you.

@poundthegarlic.blogspot.com 2012

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With sadness, Mr. Choo from Save our Seahorses passed away in June 2013. An excerpt taken from their webpage.

    "9 Jun 2013, Save Our Seahorses Malaysia bade farewell to its Founder and Team Leader, Choo Chee Kuang after a long but incredibly brave struggle with cancer. Chee Kuang will fondly be remembered for his pioneering work on seahorses and the conservation of their precious seagrass home in Sungai Pulai, Johor."

Rest in peace my dear friend.

A storm passing ... Bits from my journal.

It's been a rainy day this part of the world, not just rain, but heavy, thunderous downpour that makes driving difficult. Still I made my way to the hospital, and saw the neurosurgeon, followed by Jo's dental appointment in the noon. After not driving for so long, it was quite nerve wrecking to drive through that storm. It also reminded me of the time my car hydroplaned a couple of years back, smashing against the divider that separated us from a deep, large monsoon drain, causing the side windows to break. Yet thankfully, the Lord protected my children and I.

Anyway, just as I was about to go to sleep after a long day, it started pouring heavily again and thundering. Camel our little pooch started barking frantically, and so Nel and Jo went down to soothe and comfort him. They brought him extra cloth to keep him warm, sang songs to him, and played some soothing violin music on our CD player just to calm him.

Soon the storm began to die out, our little pooch began calming down and my children went back upstairs. As for me, I stayed a little while more with my poodle, feeling peaceful from listening to the lovely music. As I contemplated, my heart filled with peace, realizing that just as that storm was dying, so was the storm in my own life. Healing has been taking place, and I'm so much better now. :)  I believe my doctors did a good job, but ultimately, it's God who will complete the healing, the healing of the wounds, the heart and mind. I'm now trusting that He will remove the IBS, and that the random headaches (which have ceased in intensity) will totally diminish, and I know it will happen soon. :)

Anyway, a few shots of the journal which I kept while in hospital.

1st attempt at a drawing and writing using my left hand! (I am right handed) (coz there were needles in my right hand)
This verse in Isaiah 55 spoke a lot to me. About how I will go out with joy, and instead of a thornbush, I shall be like a strong pine tree. It spoke a lot to me, about the sort of person that I was/am (the thornbush), the changes I need to make to all the parts about my character which were just not right. I know, change doesn't come over night, but through this time, I've been praying, that God will change me, help me with my weaknesses, in order to be closer to who He intends for me to become. I know, through Him, I can be better. :)

 This is a 2nd  ATTEMPT at drawing using my left hand!  So this is my first ever, left handed modern(?) art. As you can see, the picture is of people with healthy pituitary glands. (seen in middle of forehead.)  :)

 A 3rd attempt at drawing/writing using my left hand, coz of the needles in my right hand. A nurse came in and saw this and commented "Wow, you did this with your left hand? I can't even do that with my right." haha...Yup right. But it helped spark of conversations with different nurses. :)

 FInally, during one of my devotions, I happened to chance upon John 11:35 which reads "Jesus Wept." Only 2 words, but it brought me to tears. It helped me realise that God is NOT some great, untouchable far off being. He is very real, and His love and care is real..so much so He wept for his friends. He is real. As I wept, I closed my eyes and drew a random line. When I opened my eyes, it was a forehead and nose. I then began to just sketch and sketch, still deeply touched to the core by the realization of God's love....and this was my impression of what Christ might have looked like, when He wept.

 Indeed, it is in Jesus name, and faith in Him that will bring complete healing.

Finally, I have one more special picture, which I saw in a dream. But I shall not post it here. It is as my friends described, unique. I intend to create an oil painting of that, as I saw it in colour but my sketch was only black and white (done in between sleep and dreams while in CCU). Will share that later when I complete the painting.

God bless.........
Martha@poundthegarlic.blogspot.com 2012

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just briefly jotting thoughts down. Headaches still persist, usually on upper left of head, worse in mornings. Pain near left ear, and behind the head. Sinuses still clogged.
 Also taking a variety of meds- decongestants, antibiotics, medication for heart palpitations, and meds for headaches. I think this combination is causing the abdominal pain i feel on the lower right (similar to the one I felt after my C-section op.) I did go do a scope on this before, but all they could say was IBS.

As I watched travel channel on TV today, I really really craved to be outdoors again, craved to be free. I'm just longing to be able to do anything I want without worries or nagging pains that creep up here and there. I'm really craving for this. And so I'll have to keep pressing in through prayer especially, trusting God that the healing will be complete so that my Joy may be complete. In the mean time, I give thanks because blood test results have come back, and I no longer have to take my hormone pills. :)

@poundthegarlic.blogspot.com 2012

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Schooling when I was down

(apologies to those who commented or shared this post earlier. I accidentally deleted it, and here it's reposting. Thus those who kindly shared this post earlier will find the link invalid, and all comments gone. :(  )

Just found out post pituitary op that I have major sinus infections. ENT recommends another surgery but at the mention of the word "surgery" after my recent brain op I felt like fainting. No..no more needles for a while, there is a limit as to what I can handle. Thankfully he said I could try medication and antibiotics first to see if it will help alleviate the headaches. My reason for writing...is to tell of what happened to my children through all this.

I was fortunate that my parents were willing to take care of my children. Mum went and bought all sorts of  workbooks.  When I came back, I found my 7 year old working excitingly on std 3 science books (with ease too), grammar grade 4, ahead of her level, and on maths rather unwillingly and grumpily. :) My older girl,  already an independent learner just worked by herself mostly, only dreading writing skills. Most of all, my mother has been training them, so that they make their beds first thing in the morning, keep the house tidy, wash, dry and fold their own clothes etc etc etc. And I've  found them to be so much more matured  and disciplined in household matters now. :)

They learned sewing and craft from my mum, Nel even picked up the basics of crochet! Also in just 2 weeks, my older girl has come close to beating me in chess, which she picked up from my dad. (Note, I'm rather pathetic in chess, plus I feel tired off and on.) Still it's amazing she picked up so much chess from my dad in just 2 weeks. Apparently the deal was to play a minimum of one game a day. :)

And then spiritually my kids grew up overnight. I know that daily, when I was in hospital, they prayed and prayed and trusted God that their mama would come home well. I received cards from my girls with messages like "We will never be apart, God will heal you, and I will take care of you." And now I'm home, without fail, my girls come into my room every night, put their hands on my head and pray for me. Just last night, Jo prayed "God I pray you heal the damage that's been done, close the wounds, remove the headaches." And Nel prayed "God help me and Jo not to fight so much so we won't trouble our mummy with extra headaches." :)  So much growth in just 2 weeks.

Because of my headaches I don't school them much yet, except for random art. But I'm healing. In conclusion, it has been a real time of learning for me and my family. I'm proud that my children were able to school themselves independently when I couldn't, and for supportive parents who helped them become even more independent. There is a reason for everything that happens. Anyway, yeah, praise God in all things.

p.s forgive any spelling, grammar mistakes or sloppy writing. Have not yet tested if they accidentally removed any important cells during brain surgery. (kidding :))

(pss.. apparently they enjoyed being schooled at my mum's because there was a promise of TV everyday at 3pm! while at our home, TV is only allowed during weekends! haha...)


@poundthegarlic.blogspot.com 2012

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The Other Side

I'm feeling better today. For the first time today , the sharp pain in my head each morning is diminishing. It's there but not as severe as the days before. :)

While in the ICU, I had strange dreams and I drew pictures in a sketch book. The nurses were often drawn to my sketches and I wish I could share them with you now, but not yet. Takes time to load and all. Will do soon. In the mean time, here's something I wrote in my diary on the 18th of Sept while in ICU.

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(Abstract from Diary 18th Sept 2012)

My life was on a train that went round in circles, mindless circles. Somehow, one day on a journey, I got pushed out. It was a period of wilderness, worrying, searching, finding.

Then somehow in that wilderness, like a gumball in a machine full of gumballs, I was squished, shaken, pushed through,.... plopping out through a tiny hole.

That's when I found myself on the other side of the world.

 I still see the train, I see people in it who are like who I was. But I see them with a whole new set of eyes. It is strange, but I'm on the other side now and I no longer think the same as before.

For the moment it is my time of healing.  When I'm done, I will look out for those who've been pushed off the train like me, to lend them a helping hand, and  help them realize that they can make it. They can come out whole on the other side.

 And then like me, their views of the world will no longer remain the same.

martha@poundthegarlic.blogspot.com 2012

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Mama's Home

I am blessed because for the duration I was away in hospital 14 days in total, my mum, dad, husband and sis in law took turns looking after my precious girls.

While I was in ICU, I know Jo (the younger) cried coz she desperately wanted to see me but wasn't allowed to do so. She confessed today to me "Mum, I called the hospital and nurse  big, fat and lousy people." I had to talk to her about how it really was the opposite coz they helped me get well. So in return both girls have made thank you cards for the nurses in the hospitals. :)

Oh Jo and Nel..well...mama's home now. I still have weird pains in my head, which I pray daily will fade. We're catching up now on stories and hugs and cuddles. :) 

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I'm grateful to the following team of doctors who saw me  through it all..
Neurosurgeon - Dr. Muruga Kumar
Cardiologist- Dato' Setia Dr. Hj. Anuar Masduki
 Endocrinologist - Dr. Chan Siew Pheng
Anesthesiologist- Dr. Hari Krishnan
ENT-Dr. Ng Kee Sang (Klang)

@poundthegarlic.blogspot.com 2012

post Op.

the operation to remove the tumor from my pituitary gland would be done transsphenoidal. It started at about 830am, and I came out at 1:30 something in the noon. It went well. Will recount event later in time when I feel better. Tumor totally removed. However, 1 week post op I experienced Hyponatremia . The experience was very scary. You can click on link to read, but here were the symptoms I experienced:

Sudden  swelling in hands, inability to focus on anything, numbness and cramps in body, and as the day went on, I lost senses of my body, feeling like I was walking on space and no longer on my legs. Voices seem to come from a distance and I couldn't reply to questions. Extreme headaches, chills, sweaty hands, and palpitations. It came to a point where I thought I would pass out or die. That's when I ended up in the ICU. My sodium dropped to a critical level of 114.

Was in CCU  (as my heartbeat went crazy too)  for 4 days, then 2 days in ordinary ward and finally today I'm discharged. :) i wouldn't say I feel normal yet. each time I get from lying down to sitting up, there is a weird pain in the left side of my head. I'm praying this will heal on its own. Praise God for seeing me through the whole op.  :)

p.s There was yet another assurance of God's love. After I was discharged from CCU, I was sent to the ordinary cardiac ward for another 2 days of observation (all in all about 12 blood tests in total). The morning when I looked out of my hospital room window, I saw a pair of Scaly Breasted Munia birds. They had built a nest right outside my window. They kept me company and reminded me of His love.

@poundthegarlic.blogspot.com 2012

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Check In

Today is the day of check in for my op.  A word that's been coming over and over again to me is the word  JOY. Particularly the Joy of the Lord.

 As I did my devotion yesterday, the verse that popped up was Proverbs 17:22 - "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."    I knew it was for me, because for months now, I've often felt sorrowful for no reason, often asking questions regarding the reason for living.  This is not something I've ever talked about, for I was afraid to let others see my inner thoughts. In my personal journals, I've written things like "I'm hiding in the corners of the earth, Lord, you're calling me, but I've gone too far, too far off."  And last month a friend called to visit, spoke to me, encouraged me, and I told her "You know, the point where you're at your lowest, and you don't know where else to go anymore? I am there now."

Then, what do you know, when the headaches started 2 weeks ago, and the docs told me I had haemorrhage of pituitary macroademona it brought me to a new place of questioning and seeking. I've come to the conclusion, that perhaps this whole thing is a little like the story of Jonah and the Whale. The storm in my situation was the MRI that told me of that tumor. The Whale is the delay before the time of operation. The delay happened because through prayers the headaches and vomiting subsided.

 In this "Whale" I began to find the Lord again. Dealing with many issues. And I came back to the word Joy. Isaiah 55:12 - 13 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed." Despite all I've been doing, the Joy of the Lord had not been present in my life. And now, I've been praying that God give me JOY which comes from Him alone. I'm praying for new vision, new calling and rejuvenated strength to serve Him in a meaningful way.

Continuing on the word Joy, both my daughter's devotion book yesterday talked of the same thing, JOY.  What a surprise it was that when I went downstairs and found that they had created a very pretty hanging mobile with the alphabets JOY  and LOVE .

 I was deeply encouraged, and I'm also deeply convicted that I must share this with my children. For what is the point of homeschooling or parenting if I do it mechanically. Rather, I must teach them about strength that comes from Joy. For that is strength which will carry them through seasons in their own lives. I'm really convicted, and may God grant me ways to overcome myself that I may share God's Joy with them.
Finally, friends who visited and messaged, carried the same message. I know, God has intervened at that lowest point of my life. I may have hidden it all deep within, silently. but God chose to bring me out, that I may serve Him with new strength, purpose and Joy.
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In my garden today...........there were so many beautiful mushrooms...

The Olive backed Sunbird that visited yesterday dropped by again today. And a pair of tailorbirds that built a nest in my garden a few months ago are back. So many visitors indeed. :)

Finally, a song that's been in my mind, Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below, Praise Him  ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

@poundthegarlic.blogspot.com 2012

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Another visitor

As I await for the insurance to confirm payment for my surgery (read last post), I vacillate between feeling totally confident and feeling fear in my heart. It's strange. I guess, googling too much is not good for there is a lot of bad news, and negative feedback about surgeries gone wrong.

There's one thing I've learnt, you can never understand the feelings of someone going through such a situation till you've been in it yourself. The fear is unimaginable, the crying, the surge of strength, the faith, the confusion, the thousands of emotions and  thoughts that flood the mind.

Anyway, while doing my devotion today, the chapter talked on joy. What brings joy. I thought of nature, the things God brought to my garden during that day of confusion that gave me joy. Well, the dragonfly has flown off, and I know it has to in order to find its mate, to continue its generation.

 But I had a new visitor this morning. It made such a ruckus outside my window. I ignored it at first, but it continued impatiently, noisily, distractingly. I looked out, and saw this male Olive Sunbird, enjoying a delicious drink of nectar from my wild banana plant. Alas when I got my camera, I only managed this blur shot, and then it was gone. I guess, God's way of cheering me up. :)

@poundthegarlic.blogspot.com 2012

A time of Inner Contemplation

I awoke last Tues, with a strange ringing in my ear. The buzz was so loud it felt like there was an air-cond in my ear. Later when my child spoke, I heard two distinct pitches in my left ear, her voice came out (if you understand music) in two tones, perfect fourth apart. I panicked. I switched on some music, and realised that the left ear could not detect higher notes, while the right could.

Panic set in, and the following day headaches started. As a musician, my ears are precious, I drove to the ENT, where they found nothing wrong with my ear but cautioned that if the buzzing continued, I could loose my hearing partially. I became depressed.

As the headaches continued, it came with nausea, a sense of imbalance, sensitivity to sounds and light. Because I felt the pain down my neck, I went to see a spinal surgeon who got me to do an MRI. I thank God that incidentally the found the enlarged pituitary gland. From then I was asked to see a neurosurgeon, followed by another MRI of the brain.

What they found was a Pituitary Macroadenoma in my gland which had haemorrhaged. Being one who is "afraid" of doctors and procedures, that shook my world. I went between depression and extreme fear to eventually increased in faith as many wonderful friends came my way and started praying for me.

My dear husband took days off for work to sit with me as I went through a series of tests. On one of those long days, when he had to get back to work, a dear friend Dr. Chan, insisted she went with me to the hospital despite multiple protests from me. I was strengthened by her faith, her prayers and encouragement. I thank God for these angels and sms's that have strengthened me. (You know who you are.)

I Praise God that because of the prayers, the headaches have subsided. I quote the Endocrinologist "I'm surprised that in your state, that you're not in more pain." Truly, it is God in control of me. I also praise God, as doctors have stated another 1mm of swelling could have caused me vision loss. Thank God for protecting my precious eyes.

So many thoughts have gone through my head in just this one week. It has opened my eyes and heart in a way I cannot describe. from the way I look at life, my priorities, my relationship and faith in God, my relationship with my children and husband, my friends around me. As these thoughts come, I've been journaling them in a book I keep as I read the BIble.

Well...another thing is Praise God, my blood tests have come back normal, and I will meet the neurosurgeon tomorrow. Both he and the endocrinologist have said it's best to take the tumor out to prevent risk of a second hemorrhage. I know it is a delicate operation, and they've told me, will take about 3 hours. I'm praying that it will go well, that none of the precious cells around it will be sacrificed in the process. Sure many have gone through it, but to go through it myself, is different and I understand now the fear people have been through in such a situation. Above all I know God is in control, from the way He helped me to trace the source of headaches to this point. He is my refuge and strength.

Finally, as I struggled to distract my own thoughts, I sought my camera and went out to my tiny garden.

 I saw this new shoot growing, and it promised me, new life. As a dear friend prayed for me yesterday, she said "Sometimes, God prunes, and He cuts off much, till we're almost bare, but that is so the best shoots may come forth."

Then next to it, growing on  roots were these mushrooms that grew so peacefully.

Finally, still a little troubled, I heard a voice saying, "Look up Martha, the dragonflies that have come and gone from your Kedondong tree are back. I looked up, and true enough, there it was, sitting on top of the branch, displaying its beautiful wings. It's meaningful to me, as this dragonfly that's back today, has been gone for some time. It's morphed and now an adult. It shows how in shading of it's old skin, it has become bigger, stronger, more powerful.

Here it almost seems as if it's looking at me doesn't it.

In all things, I give thanks coz I know, God my maker, holds my life in His hands, and He is watching over me.

martha@poundthegarlic.blogspot.com 2012

Dentist and study on Telegraph

While studying inventions, we came across Samuel Morse. That got the girls curious, so we looked up telegraph, watched some videos such as the ones below.





Then they wanted to learn the morse code, so we looked at the following link  to learn the codes.
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Other than that, we spent a lot of time at the dentist fixing Jo's cavities. Chocolate and sweet lover = bad cavities! In fact, she has had to go through root canal treatment for several molars. I feel bad that she had to go through the treatment as I wasn't efficient in ensuring that her teeth were brushed regularly every night. There were many nights when I was so tired I just said "Brush your own and let's get to bed." and I didn't check.  :(

But to date, she's taken her treatment well, dentist is good too. We talked a bit about what it would be like before she went for her first treatment so she knew what was going to happen. Then to help her feel better and less nervous during the first treatment, I let her bring her cuddly bear to hug. I also requested that the dentist cover her eyes so she wouldn't see the needles and all, and occasionally I would just rub her feet when I saw any jerking movement. AND of course, there was the promise of ice-cream after the treatment. *grin*

I think Jo's done really well at the dentist. The only thing she hates is the bitter aftertaste when the jabs are done. Well...one more treatment to go and she should be fine.


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Figures, made out of lumpy wheat bread dough.

 Just when we thought the virus had gone, Jo came down with fever again and severe coughing. So we found ourselves at the hospital again. We were told we were 9th in waiting. The doctor took a really long time with her patients, and the wait seemed unbearable with Jo coughing every few seconds.

Flower brought by Lulu the Guinea

Finally the nurse called us and said "Because your daughter's coughing is incessant, we've slotted her earlier, you're now third in line." With that we found ourselves in the doc's office. Well first they gave her med to bring down the fever, and then off to the nurse's room to use the nebulizer. Because of her lethargic condition, she screamed and kicked like never before, insisting that the nebulizer was horrid and hindering her from breathing properly. As she screamed and cried, I tried to comfort her but to no avail. I was surprised by the reaction of my usually confident, brave girl.

Next was chest x-ray to rule out pneumonia. She enjoyed that, especially when she found out she'd be taking back a picture of her ribs and lungs with her. Well, thank God, no pneumonia, but a case of bad bronchitis and also swollen tonsils.




 And so...we remain homebound. *sigh*
Anyway, this morning we checked, and Lulu the imaginary guinea has brought them some flowers made of crepe paper and some ribbons for the girls' hair. How lovely. :)

In the mean time, since we're stuck at home, I decided to make some bread clay dough. Now, this DID NOT turn out as expected. Firstly coz we were too tired to head out and get white bread, so we used wheat bread. Second, I did not knead it enough. So we had lumpy brownish bread dough. Here are the products of our work anyway. I think I shall head out today and get white bread and attempt the whole thing again. Pics of work below. (Jo did not make any, coz she has been lethargic most of the time, in bed.)

An Angel I made

Nel's old man which she made

Nel also made this snowman and a red socks for the Christmas tree

A Nativity Set of figurines..all made out of lumpy wheat dough. hahaha..:)

Lulu the Guinea is a Chef! and STOMP

My girls awoke this morning to find three tiny books left by Lulu! Well apparently Lulu is a chef, as seen in photo below, she's even written some recipe books herself. Wow, impressive!

Well.. I think Nel's got quite fond of Lulu, she put some butterfly stickers in Lulu's home today, and even made these little shoes for Lulu using some dough. I hope Lulu will be able to fit into them. They're very tiny only about 2.5cm in length. (Even I, mum was surprised to see the shoes! :)  )

Also I'm sure this carriage here will be a great surprise for Lulu. Although they've not read about Christmas Mouse's visit to Mini Mocha's where there's a scooter involved, they somehow had a similar idea. So Lulu the fairy tale visitor,  now has a carriage to ride on. I wonder if she'll be going to a ball anytime soon?

Finally, despite Nel's bad cough and Jo's condition, we went ahead and watched STOMP last night at the Plenary Hall. I'd bought the tickets some time back, and they are expensive. I just thought that to miss the show would be a total waste. So I wrapped my girls in warm clothes, and together we went to watch STOMP. Of course daddy had to carry Jo all the way to the hall.

I'm glad we went. We totally loved the show. In between their coughs and sneezes and all, I heard them giggling, laughing and just enjoying the show. I'm glad for that. :)

For today, Jo's fever has gone up to 39C again, and I administered another dose of paracetamol last night and ibuprofen this morn. It's a horrid virus that doesn't want to admit defeat yet, but it will soon!

Yeah, so after the show STOMP, my girls are noticing stuff around the house which can be used as instruments. :)

Lulu the Guinea's luggage arrives

Well..it's 8 days now since my girls were down with the horrid virus (see previous posts). Nel's still with bad chesty cough, especially at night and some dizziness. Jo's fever spiked last night. She was ok yesterday but lethargic again today with cough starting. Pretty horrid virus eh?

Anyway..I promised them that Lulu the guinea pig will be dropping off stuff everyday till Christmas. She first brought her bed and pillow yesterday...and this morning when my girls woke, they checked, and yes, Lulu the guinea has moved in new stuff, and her luggage has arrived. :)

This was a picture by J and message by N left for Lulu.

This morning we found a sofa, luggage and a flower pot. Wow, Lulu's moved in quite a bit of stuff

Here's Lulu's flower pot, made out of tissue role

Lulu's  message, placed on top of her luggage

And these were the contents of Lulu's luggage..some seeds, dresses, erasers and stickers for the girls, and a shell. wow!

And here's a get well card from me, their mama.