2021 - Chat about whatever you like: the weather, good stuff, bad stuff, family or pets!

[Marianne]

My DH is currently in Prince of Wales Private Hospital (Randwick) awaiting surgery. Visiting is jumping through hoops: only 4pm to 6pm, only for 1 hour, one one visitor. Must be double vaxed, Check in on NSW Services app (after you check into the Public via their own app) and show proof of a negative COVID test within 72 hours.

And no way I was going to drive and park (and arrive with a massive headache and wanting to murder someone). So, train, bus, and on the return, light rail and train. Thus a 45 minute visit entailed five and a half hours away from home.
BUT
I did get to read!!! On the train, on the light rail. Not on the bus, too nervous, didn't know where to get off.

[Sarah]

Marianne wrote: "Thus a 45 minute visit entailed five and a half hours away from home."

Oh, gosh, Marianne, that's horrendous. I understand why they need to impose all the restrictions, but it's making what is already a stressful time for patients and families even harder. I hope your husband's surgery goes well.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

That's just awful Marianne. Good luck to both of you. How long will he be in hospital?

[Marianne]

Hopefully surgery Thursday or Friday, then ?8 days post-op.
Another COVID test today so I can visit Wednesday. Thank goodness that's so streamlined now.
All pandemic I haven't needed one, now needing them just to visit.

[Helen]

I hope all goes well Marianne and he is home as soon as possible

[Trish]

Marianne, wishing your husband all the best...it is never easy having a loved one in hospital and Covid has added more stress..thankfully now visitors are allowed.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Marianne wrote: "My DH is currently in Prince of Wales Private Hospital (Randwick) awaiting surgery. Visiting is jumping through hoops: only 4pm to 6pm, only for 1 hour, one one visitor. Must be double vaxed, Check..."

Marianne, so sorry to hear about your hubby in hospital and the dreadful dramas of you visiting. Such a painful process! Good wishes to you both 😘

[Dale]

Marianne wrote: "My DH is currently in Prince of Wales Private Hospital (Randwick) awaiting surgery. Visiting is jumping through hoops: only 4pm to 6pm, only for 1 hour, one one visitor. Must be double vaxed, Check..."

So sorry to hear about your husband Marianne. The Covid situation has certainly made it hard for those with loved ones in hospital. Prayers for a good quick result for him and strength for you in the meantime. You are in my thoughts.

[Diana]

Thinking of you and your DH, Marianne. Sorry for all the increased stress for you.

I was up early on my day off yesterday to subscribe to a favourite quilter’s Stitch and Story subscription box. Sarah is an award winning quilter and also promotes reading. Every quarter next year I get a new release Australian book, sewing and food treats and a PDF craft pattern. There will also be online book chats and Sarah interviewing the authors.

[Marianne]

Thanks all for your good wishes. Another visit tomorrow, had my COVID test yesterday. Hoping the light rail disruption doesn't affect my trip home....

[Kylie]

I am truly sorry to hear of all the stress you are going through at the moment Marianne. I hope your husbands surgery goes well. I will be thinking of you.

[Carolyn]

Sorry to hear all the hoops you have to jump through to visit your DH in hospital Marianne. It does a lot more stress onto of the trip for you. Maybe you could treat yourself to a night or two in a nearby hotel once he's had his surgery to spare yourself the long trip. Hoping all goes well for you both.

[Sharon]

Sorry to hear about your husband, Marianne. Hope all goes well with his surgery. Thinking of you both.

[Janelle]

Best wishes to you and your husband, Marianne.

[Carolyn]

I just booked a few tickets for the BAD Sydney crime festival (2-5 Dec). It's at the State library again but you can also livestream the sessions (for 1/2 price) which I'm doing.

If you live in NSW you can also use a NSW Dine & Discover voucher (which I applied for via the Service NSW app) to pay for a session or two.

Festival details here: https://www.badsydney.com

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks for that information Carolyn!!

[Diana]

Carolyn wrote: "I just booked a few tickets for the BAD Sydney crime festival (2-5 Dec). It's at the State library again but you can also livestream the sessions (for 1/2 price) which I'm doing.

If you live in N..."

Thanks for the heads up. I’ve booked for two sessions on the live stream.
I got a letter from my local council yesterday offering $30 to spend locally. May be the same idea as the NSW Dine and Discover voucher?

[Marianne]

Spoke to DH in the ICU, post his triple bypass + more, this morning: pain not too bad, we chatted and joked, he was about to have a cup of tea. All positive!!

[Helen]

Marianne wrote: "Spoke to DH in the ICU, post his triple bypass + more, this morning: pain not too bad, we chatted and joked, he was about to have a cup of tea. All positive!!"

Good news then Marianne that is fabulous

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Marianne wrote: "Spoke to DH in the ICU, post his triple bypass + more, this morning: pain not too bad, we chatted and joked, he was about to have a cup of tea. All positive!!"

Great news Marianne! A major op that's for sure. Best wishes for his swift recovery.

[Dale]

Marianne wrote: "Spoke to DH in the ICU, post his triple bypass + more, this morning: pain not too bad, we chatted and joked, he was about to have a cup of tea. All positive!!"

Glad he came through the op well and feeling brighter and not in too much pain.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Marianne wrote: "Spoke to DH in the ICU, post his triple bypass + more, this morning: pain not too bad, we chatted and joked, he was about to have a cup of tea. All positive!!"

Excellent news. Best wishes for a swift recovery!

[Sharon]

Wonderful news Marianne.

[Trish]

Happy for your good news re your husband's surgery, Marianne.

[Carolyn]

Great news Marianne. Hopefully you'll have him home soon.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

And with the fabulous The Safe Place by AA L.A. Larkin I have completed my GR challenge for 2021!!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Good work Brenda!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thank you Phrynne!

[Diana]

Congratulations 👏🏻 Brenda, phenomenal effort.

[Helen]

Brenda wrote: "And with the fabulous The Safe Place by AA L.A. Larkin I have completed my GR challenge for 2021!!

"

Woohoo huge congrats Brenda and I am sure there ill be many more yet :)

[Sharon]

Well done Brenda. Another wonderful year of reading and it’s not over yet.

[Dale]

Well done Brenda. Congrats.

[Trish]

Brenda wrote: "And with the fabulous The Safe Place by AA L.A. Larkin I have completed my GR challenge for 2021!!

"

Wonderful reading Brenda, congratulations..and still 2 months more reading left 🤗

[Carolyn]

Congratulations Brenda! Amazing effort!! 🏆
Now you'll have to see if you can get to 400 ;)

[Em__Jay]

What a great effort. Well done!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks everyone!! Not sure about 400 Carolyn but it'll be interesting to see the total at 31st December :)

[Marianne]

Well done Brenda, what a total!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Marianne!!

[marlin1]

Well done Brenda, I’m failing terribly this year. Lost my mojo, still read every day but not as long. So many other things to do.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks a lot Marlin! I hope you get your reading mojo back soon :)

[Dale]

marlin1 wrote: "Well done Brenda, I’m failing terribly this year. Lost my mojo, still read every day but not as long. So many other things to do."

I’m 4 behind my goal at the moment too,Marlin. We can only attend to what we can and what is most important.

[Dale]

No reviews still from me ( unless you count one sentence a review} for quite a while as still sorting out health issues.

[Helen]

Dale wrote: "No reviews still from me ( unless you count one sentence a review} for quite a while as still sorting out health issues."

Thinking of you Dale and hope that all will be back to normal soon

[Sharon]

Dale wrote: "No reviews still from me ( unless you count one sentence a review} for quite a while as still sorting out health issues."

Sorry to hear you’re still sorting out health issues, Dale. Take care xx

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Dale wrote: "No reviews still from me ( unless you count one sentence a review} for quite a while as still sorting out health issues."

Best wishes Dale!

[Diana]

Take care, Dale.

After a few technical issues early (fixed by our IT wiz, Steve) we had two sessions with author, Danielle Binks yesterday. The kids were literally spellbound for two hours!

[Trish]

Dale wrote: "No reviews still from me ( unless you count one sentence a review} for quite a while as still sorting out health issues."

Dale, as much we all love our reading, sometimes it does become a lesser priority as we face health or family concerns. Take care of you and yours.

[Marianne]

Dale wrote: "No reviews still from me ( unless you count one sentence a review} for quite a while as still sorting out health issues."
Dale, nothing at all wrong with a one-line review.
Hope things improve for you.

On a brighter note, my DH is coming home tomorrow :)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

That's great news Marianne!

[Helen]

Fabulous news Marianne