Autumn Greetings

Weekend 23-24 Oct 09


Good day to all far and near, family and friends.

I caught most of you out, I made a mistake and only Isabel realized it, Apologies to Jaco van Marle on the farm in the Free State. Congratulations to him for the 14th some 10 days ago! Paul Eloff from Zam also had a birthday on the 18th, belated best wishes!
It made me think, no-one noticed this mistake except one, only one person realised that I did not write last week!
In the mean time life moved on. I cannot even remember where I last ended or where I should start.
We still had a fridge that stayed behind in the GAA grounds after attending the MONSTER AUCTION in Gowna and the man with the trailer could not pick it up as the doors were all locked , We left here in good faith some Saturdays ago in the hope to find some people there and were fortunate. The doors were open and the fridge still standing there.
I dare not ask questions and were extremely worried about the manner in which we will be bringing the fridge home!?
Very carefully we carried the fridge down the flight of stairs, I was told to bring the car near to the door en then the most fantastic manoeuvre took place. Barry loaded the fringe onto the back seat, with the ends sticking out both back doors. With blue rope the doors were secure and off we went! Both doors open like wings! Everyone stayed far away from us who made the trip back easy but we then got the fridge home!
We also attended at Belturbet with good purchases, and the new room is full to the brim!
The old ‘new’ hand woven Persian carpet, looks lovely in the lounge and fit perfectly. Pictures on the wall and we now really have a lovely lounge!
The week that followed was filled with meetings at work, I had no duty, because of time due but the hospital is in die straights! Union representative for our area seems not very interested and we had to inform her instead of her giving us advise. Found it very strange, 2 days later big management /staff meeting where we were, with a slide show, informed of the decline in work and the ratio of staff versus income is not warranted and they want from the staff to cut 150hrs per week from the ward. In reality it is 30% less hours and also 30% less salary! For part time staff it means hardly any income and as it is, their partners or husbands are not working because of the slump in building
Every on up in arms and a ward staff meeting scheduled for Sat was heated, and then suddenly they wanted to vote and me not keeping to my promise of ‘I will only listen’ intervened and explained a few rules and regulations regarding voting on something that has not even been put down on paper, So the meeting had to be reconvened and proper minutes were taken and a vote of no confidence brought forward as conclusion and refusal to cut hours.
Another Union /staff/management meeting took place on Tuesday and the proposals put down on paper were not even mentioned, what a waste of time and we are back to square 1!
I decided to rather keep away and will wait till they want to close the doors or shove me out before I will get involved again!
At the moment I still have a job but really do not know for how long! The poor management of the hospital for years, like in the government, is taking its toll on those who carried them in the good times!
Better news, weather not the best this week but we enjoyed such glorious times the last 6 weeks that we are in no position to complain! The beauty of autumn is grandiose ,colours ranging from bright yellow to dark maroon ,carpets of leaves covering the sidewalks and the small lanes ’ borines’
The front hanging baskets were emptied and winter pansies planted, the strawberry plants, the strawberry plant must be family of the hen with chicks, as the same principle provide growth for the following year and we planted 27 new little plants. The tulips are in and we wait now for the change in hours Sunday night, which means we will have longer evenings and a little longer mornings for a while but then comes the long nights and the short days. “Winter time”! 2 Hours behind SA!
The South African ladies, many wives from doctors working in MIDOC on 6 week stints, met this week at Marthie Potgieter’s house, as she worked yesterday, it was her birthday as well. Once again very pleasant! Met a few new ladies and the one Cilna Maritz and her husband Koos? I think, were long working at Siloam ‘sending Hospitaal’ late 70 into the 80’ies. She knew Paul well, he also operated on one of her children. Also a writer who already has books published, Gerda Ersmus, now Vorster!
2 people I met that used to work or know Paul and Nine ! The world is so small.
Saturday
I worked 2 nights and it was very difficult after being off so long, to get this not so young body back into being very alert, patient, playing a clown, shows intelligence, perseverance, and to be able to make quick and important decisions are at times somewhat tricky.
My back nearly broke as I was, without my knowledge, allocated to St Clair’s the nursing Home it is wonderful how the Lord provides even in simple ways, he send s a nurse that was to have been cancelled for last night, and was not, to arrive and lightened the workload by a 1/3!
Suffering from blurred vision after watching ‘AMAZING GRACE’ we does not often look at films but this was a soul lifting experience! I have to first wipe the eyes.
The wind is howling, the rain is lashing against the windows the trees are bent low and the skies are grey and we are so blessed to be warm and snug in front of the fire while you are hot and bothered!
Hope sincerely that the Krugers’ enjoy their visit to ‘down under’ that Haya and workforce will go into this wedding as medalled warriors! I am not sure but I believe there are a few family members studying for their matric exams and our best wishes are with them, others are doing many modules to achieve their dreams and others are at the end of years of study to venture into the healing field
Lovely to have heard from the Kuypers and as always, every letter is welcome, I have to say there are some gaps in the correspondence register and that needs attention!
I herewith wish the couple to be wedded Gods riches blessings! Nine and Stefan!
Our greetings also to our Tante Poppie, hope that she is feeling well!
No birthdays for this week in my book! Should there be any I am not aware of , Congratulations!!
There where it is dry and rain is needed , may it soon pour ! Those who are hot think of us moving into winter and feel the coolness flow over you!
Those who travel, do it safely
Turn the keys in your doors for safety sake!
Tomorrow, a visiting preacher, hymns chosen and all well for praising the Lord!

With the fragrance of wood burning in the fire, flame red and yellow licking into the air, warm greetings from Cranleymore!
The Dunnes
!