Babies, Babies, Babies

Two of our friends have given birth to beautiful bouncing boys, how lucky are they, babies are the only thing in this world that are pure perfection, children reinvent your life for you, congratulations to The Parker and The Matthew families.


So today we lazed around the garden in the sun, before calling it a day, we then showered and took a walk through Carmel centre and on to a new restaurant bar, the setting was just on the corner of a side road, and the place was beautiful, we sat outside and ate whilst watching the crazy drivers of Haifa go about their business. One of the waitresses recognised us from when she used to serve us in Barbarrossa and came over for a chat. 


We ate and chatted our way through lunch, which was in fact afternoon tea by the time we actually arrived, and then took the long walk home again.  Not being able to drink the water here we purchased a couple of bottles on the way home, and then I set about sorting out my itunes account, My Beloved had a complete moment when his own account kept syncing to mine, but as I explained he did set it up to the Mac so really it is his own fault, this did not help his grumpyness at all.


Having now downloaded New moon I moved it to the ipad and our evening was spent catching up with Bella, Edward and Jacob, watching it through the big screen. Supper was marinaded chicken care of My Beloved, and we ate very late due to the lateness of afternoon tea and the amount we had eaten.  

Baby Matthew and Daddy

Addie James Parker

Your Bums too Close to the Sun

Breakfast done, Gym done, and off to the beach we went, it was lovely and quiet today, apart from the roar of the sea, which apparently was affecting My Beloved's need to snooze, myself on the other hand had no issues, with sleep, I had a sun bed and was flat out, I only woke as I jumped for some reason, thus reminding me it was time to turn over, I read my ipad as today I had turned it to white on black, which is much easier to read in the sun., I am desperately trying to slow down on the reading, as my book will be finished very soon, and I really hate getting to the end of a book.


We had a lovely few hours basking in the sun, then drove home after a stroll around the prom to exercise My Beloved's hip. Showered and changed it was time to head to the supermarket for supplies, first stop the wine store a first for My Beloved who hasn't been there before, such a lovely store, wall to wall alcohol, we purchased a couple of specials and headed for the food store, then it was home again for some R & R.


We began to watch New moon on the Tv but having restarted the damned film on Hot, and then pausing it, we lost the film, so now we have to wait until it comes back around on repeat.  We switched channels and watched the football, My Beloved convinced that Germany were in the lead, but as I am the only one that can read Hebrew I informed him it was Italy, yes get in.


Just before we went to the supermarket I was sitting on the sofa and an uncomfortable feeling washed over me, on closer inspection that feeling was sun burn, I have burnt my backside, that will teach me to hitch my pants, and not put cream on my derrière!!! E45 being lathered on................

Another funny Day!

Dance like the photo’s not being tagged. Love like you’ve never been unfriended. Sing like nobody’s following. Share like you care. And do it all like it won’t end up on youtube!

Gym done lunch sorted washing cleaned and ironed, back to Fifty Shades it is then, I have forgotten what it was I used to do before I down loaded the trilogy, but I will find out soon enough as I get dangerously close to the end.

Living the Dream!

Today I tied my arse to the bike for fifty minutes, luckily for me I had the fifty shades to keep me company, 30 minutes passed before I checked to see how long I had been strapped to this torturous appliance, luckily when I got home eventually there were no tell tale marks imprinted on my backside.


I collected a sandwich from Rubens for My Beloved, although it was more like a mountain than a sandwich with the amount of turkey that was inside, My Beloved had to take it apart to eat it, as dislocation of the jaw would have been an issue.

Seasons Restaurant Camel Beach

We took ourselves off to the beach for the afternoon, the weather was hot as usual and I struggled with finding a comfortable position on the chair, as usual all the sun beds were being used so I did the best I could on the chair.  My Beloved had his own chair as I had carried it from the car for him, and this allowed him to lounge in the sun, there is no way he would get onto one of these chairs, and if by chance he did, we would have to get a fork lift to get him out again without his hip dislocating.


We eventually left the beach a pair of sweaty heaps, and made our way back home, chicken was on the menu for our evening meal and it was delicious, I have managed to avoid the diet coke all day, although every time I opened the fridge I could here it calling my name, My Beloved did sneak a can, but at least he had the decency to take it to the shower with him.


Our evening was spent at Dukes, we found ourselves a cab and I told him where we were going, he looked at me quizzically and I repeated 'Dukes please', 'ahhh you mean Dukes', was that not what I just said, I think it must be another of the Wulcan junction moments, anyway our driver showed us some of the best coffee shops in Haifa on the journey, so we will be trying some of those in the future, and there is a new one that has also just opened during the time I have been nursing My Beloved which looks nice so we will maybe have to have a day of coffees.


We arrived at Dukes and sat at the bar, Darren joined us and we spent an evening together some of which I had my fingers in my ears, you just don't always need to hear what men say, having spent too much time in the company of men recently, I sometimes wish I was completely deaf not just partial.......

Wedding Dress

Our new pet, found this baby on the wall outside the front door, now that's what you call a stick insect, initially I thought it was a piece of wood stuck to the wall, My Beloved hating all things insect like just wanted to kill it, but not in my neighbourhood, we left it where it was, it was doing us no harm at all.

The gym was attended once more, I still don't think I enjoy it much, but the more people in the place the more competitive my edge becomes, luckily all the lights remained brightly lit for my torture today. The muscle studs were in situ, and one of these days I will end up killing one of them, gym etiquette obviously doesn't apply to these boys, I was reverse lunging once again and this time a stupid old man, not one of the studs I might add decided to walk behind me as I lunged which mean't I was on his foot, luckily for me the reflexes are still quick, or I would have fell over, the other day I was upside down on a bench throwing my weights around as another doughball decided to walk past, absolutely no sense these men. I left the gym a sweaty heap and walked home to My Beloved, and the shower.

Next stop the Grand Canyon, dress shopping, initially I thought this was going to be a chore, the speed at which we had to walk around the Canyon with My Beloved on his crutches was actually torture, but first dress shop and I have a dress for the wedding, hooraah. After that there was nothing more to do than feed our faces, then home again, after a little food shopping that is.

Our evening was spent watching the latest NCIS care of Mr Wilson, and supper was a quiet affair due to the lunch we had eaten, My Beloved made the mistake of ordering an Iced coffee with his lunch, and was stuffed for the rest of the day, I have started to get a problem with the stomach again, and one bottle of diet coke and I was floored today, guess that's me and coke finished again.

Follow the Light

Having breakfasted and blogged, the ironing was done, the house was tided and cleaned, and then it was time to hit the gym, all was going well until I was sitting on the bike reading my Fifty shades with three electricians stood behind me, the space behind the bike was confined to say the least and my face was getting redder and redder, all three were speaking in Hebrew, they could have been discussing my delicious book for all I knew, I tried my best to ignore them, 30 minutes later I tried my best not to do a Bridget Jones off the bike, and I headed for the small resistance machines, all was going well until I was at the back of the room and all the lights went out, I was abducting at the time, and had unfortunately left my bag at the leg press, so I couldn't even turn the iphone light on, I carried on for a little bit, but then decided I better make my way towards the light, health and safety obviously not an issue in this gym, as no one had come running to warn us when the lights went out. I spoke with the young receptionist and she said yes we are having big problems with the electrics, No shit Sherlock!!! I then took myself into the weights room and finished part of my routine with the muscle studs, then back to the room I had left as now the lights were back on, I left the gym feeling a little like a yoyo.


I walked slowly passed the shops looking in at the sales, then home to My Beloved who was waiting for a visit from The Germans, our trip to the beach had been put off for another day, and we waited all day for our afternoon visit, which incidentally didn't materialise, well thats not true, after phoning to ask if they would be coming and being told no we took ourselves out for iced coffee, THEN we received the call to say they would be around with some equipment arrrrrrrg, so our whole day had been wasted and we had to rush home, there goes that yoyo feeling again.


Visit over we went for another walk to exercise My Beloved's legs only to receive another call whilst walking, another issue to be sorted, we carried on our walk and popped in to see Sharbel, Natalie was off shift so we couldn't catch up with her, then it was back on the road again and around the block we went.


Our evening was spent watching Bourne and then the football, not a great result, Darren and Graeme popped in before heading off to watch the game at the Bear bar, a very good friend of mine is correct when he say's 


' I would like to remind everyone that football is in fact a game for homo's' Thank you Nico Clark for sharing that inspired comment.


The only sensible thing I've read from our Scottish friends since the tournament began, not politically correct but apt.

Death By Alcohol

I am so glad when I woke in the middle of the night on the sofa that I had the good sense to take a couple of painkillers before I went to bed, I also woke My Beloved and forced him to take some too.


My Day was spent in and out, up and down, not really knowing what I wanted to do to or with myself, never again comes to mind, but I'm so weak I know that won't last, wine is the devil, or is it that I am the devil, cos I certainly felt horrid and could actually feel the horns trying to grow out of my scalp.


My Beloved made me breakfast, stood at the stove with his one stick pushing around the pan, I ate very slowly willing my stomach to keep control, then it was time for a snooze on the sunbed, offft it was hot, again I was up and down, and in and out, I couldn't seem to settle to anything.


Mr Wilson turned up as I was snoozing on the sofa, and the afternoon was spent chatting, then it was supper time, chicken and rice for My Beloved and as usual I made enough for two people, so at least lunch is sorted out for tomorrow. I ate my chicken with vegetables and was well and truly stuffed.  We decided to watch the muppets but not before we took my trolley up the road for water and diet coke, oh yeah and recovery Heineken for My Beloved, two songs in and the muppets was forgotten, and instead we watched the Twilight Movie - number 1 that is, two and three will be next, but I think it will take some time before we get peace again to watch them.


Today I have totally amazed myself and My Beloved, no rubbish was eaten all day, this is not usual when suffering the after effects of alcohol, but today I get the gold star, and the only reasons I didn't go to the gym were 


1. I would have thrown up on either myself or a passing muscle stud.
2. its Shabbat

I didn't realise a walk could be so dangerous

Our morning was spent with My Beloved at the computer and myself at the gym, the torture never ends, for a man on the sick My Beloved is doing as much now as ever, I don't quite get it, the only up side is none of it is manual.


Later afternoon we decided to take a walk, we left the apartment and headed up the road, we didn't really have a plan, and decided that we would walk past Mandarin and pass on the iced coffee's and cappuccino, we decided to head to HaBank, bad move, having not eaten since breakfast, although I had fed My Beloved just to keep his strength up, we arrived and found a table and decided on wine, two bottles later and still no food, we were joined by the guys, food was ordered and so was another bottle of vino collapso, our evening passed in a blur, as did the walk home, why is it when you drink you get memory loss, is it some chemical reaction initiated by alcohol I wonder, or maybe its just better that some things are forgotten.......

Little and Often

Little and Often appears to be a concept My Beloved does not understand, having left the house for the gym, after downloading the Fifty Shades of Grey on my ipad I spent a pleasant 40 mins on the bike reading through the chapters, hoping the person next to me was unable to read English as my face would have pinker than grey.  I arrived home to fine My Beloved exercising, this is great news as building the muscles is what is needed, what I didn't expect was that he had been exercising since I left........ I believe he is under the misapprehension that if he gets all the exercising done in one sitting he is done for the day, I dispelled his misguided exercise by making him exercise again later in the day, are you ever to old to learn............ lets hope not or he is gonna be awful tired.

Chicken

Today was a sleepy day, up late, and sleepy afternoon, the weather although warm was decidedly cloudy, what is going on, My Beloved is exercising his fingers on the computer again, and I contented myself with facebook and google.


How disgusting are we, I baked some chicken and as My Beloved was lying on the bed supposedly doing his exercises we ate the chicken whilst watching some rubbish on the TV, I have to say there were no crumbs, unlike eating toast in bed which is very messy.


My Beloved has begun walking around the house with one crutch now, and his posture is superb should be down to one full time crutch very soon, we took a walk up the road late afternoon and sat in Mandarin sipping cappuccino and iced coffees, then it was off to the supermarket for a few supplies before home again, My Beloved eventually came to bed around 1am, having trouble pulling himself away from the work computer, tonight I didn't help him remove his stockings, he is getting a dab hand at using the crutch to remove them, and if you come to bed an hour after me your on your own, 8 more days and those stockings will be banished forever.

Can anyone smell burning flesh

My morning was once again spent at the gym, but at least I feel like I am possibly, but not definitely enjoying it, but I'm not sure 100%.


I even managed to stay on the bike for an extended period of time, mainly due to the air vent being turned towards the bike today, had I realised I was able to do that myself I would have been pedalling longer on my previous visits. The only reason I came off the bike was because there was someone waiting to get on it, there is only one normal bike so I was feeling generous.


I walked home to My Beloved who had been doing his own exercises in the house, then we showered and headed for the beach,  reclining chair for My Beloved under my arm, two towels slung over My Beloved's neck, his cushion under my other arm and a bag full of sun cream, I had noticed when we arrived a parking sign with 5 shekels written on it, but being so excited about finding a parking space and so weighted down with things necessary to make My Beloved comfortable on the sand I had forgotten, so when I had My Beloved settled in and everything within reach of him I walked back to the car, bad move, very bad move, I omitted to wear my shoes, and the heat from the pavement began to sear through my feet, nah I will be fine I decided and carried on walking, I had to move onto the grass as I was in agony, but then I ran out of grass and was back on the pavement, I managed to get about 30 feet from the car, I was nearly crying and had to stand on my sarong to relieve the pain, I decided that burnt feet were not an option and had to walk back to My Beloved, this time across the sand, the wet stuff was fine, but getting from the wet stuff to the seats across the dry and hot stuff was like walking on hot coals, then when I did get my shoes on the sand inside them irritated my tender skin so much I created a wee blister, god help us, note to self never ever ever walk without shoes on when you live in a hot country, your feet will burn.


We spent a lovely afternoon sitting in the sun, before taking ourselves home for another shower, then I popped over to see Itzhak and get some help with my parking ticket, my lovely landlord is now writing me a letter to the Municipality of Haifa, I have such a lovely landlord.


We had organised to collect Dina and Zheni, well My Beloved had, one should never leave the organisation of an event or evening out with the boys, we arrived at Motzkin and called Zheni who was actually sitting in the Bear bar at the top of our road, so we drove back to Haifa and met them there, not before My Beloved stepped in dog muck, which turned out to be lucky for England but not for me as I had to take the said shoe and wash it in the toilets, obviously not the actual toilet just the sink, I even cleaned the sink afterwards, how thoughtful am I. Dog lovers are great but not when they leave shit everywhere......


Our evening was spent in great company watching the game, and as usual way to much alcohol was consumed, so much so that we decided half way home that we were hungry, bad choice, we ended up in Zesty's for a burger, mainly because Bruno's was closed well it was after all 2am in the morning, the heartburn through the night was a lesson learn't the hard way, don't eat food you don't like when drunk, it'll kill ya...................

BABY MATHER

Baby Mather,
Congratulations Craig and Silvia

Today the DOMS have set in, the quads are a touch tight, we puddled around the house until it was time to leave for the big smoke, the journey in was uneventful, the same can't be said for the journey home.

Dark Chocolate Truffle Granita

We arrived at the office, My Beloved went on up and I headed for a meeting with Max, he is one of my favourite people in Herzliya, he always offers me such tasty treats, no chocolate lover could resist. I sat and supped my granita whilst I waited for My Beloved, the weather was beautiful and I made use of my time by whooping My Beloved at Words with Friends, although the game seems to be getting less friendly as he doesn't like to be beaten.


Martin popped over to see me whilst I was sitting, and then My Beloved and the boys arrived we headed out for a drink together, them on the beer and me on the non alcoholic gotta drive stuff, pffft, whilst sitting we received a call from Glen to say that Craig and Silvia were the proud parents of a beautiful bouncing baby girl, Jasmine Mather 8lb 11oz, and Granddaughter number 9 for the Mother in Law Elaine. July can't come soon enough for us, getting back to the UK and visiting the family, the babies and the friends.


We left Herzliya around 4.30 and the journey home was boring to say the least, wall to wall cars, I love driving but that has to be one of the worst roads to drive on when the traffic is at fever pitch, undertaking and overtaking is the rule of the day, no patience. We eventually arrived home around around 6.30pm and spent a pleasant evening watching Ghost Writer, good film, evening over.

Exercising with the boys

I made My Beloved his breakfast twice today, mainly because the first attempt was frazzled and I really don't mind frazzled bacon but My Beloved prefers his a little less on the charred side.


I left the apartment and walked to the gym, even walking was slow due to the heat, not that I'm complaining because walking in the cold is not on my agenda. I arrived at the gym and today it was a little quieter than my previous visits, so I began on the bike, that didn't last long, the section where the bike sits was so oppressive I decided weights were the option of the day, once again the muscle studs were in but not too many of them, so I began my routine, reverse lunges and wide squats done, it was time to work on the chest and shoulders, then back to the legs, the machine I used for the leg press is a great little tool, but being short in the leg means I don't have far to push even when the seat is fully extended, then it was ab work, then home time.


It wasn't until I was walking out of the gym and down the steps that I realised how hard I had worked my little legs, only three steps but each one was more wobbly than the last, by the time I had walked home I was sweating again, Mr sunshine was riding high today.


The apartment was needing a sweep through and the floors needed washing so that was my jobs for today, after we had taken ourselves of to Mandarin for the best iced coffee in Haifa that is, me I had a skinny cappachino and a tuna salad, My Beloved froze his brain once more and ate a cheese croissant which I have to say looked like a stodge filled stodgy thing, very unappetising and bound to repeat.


Our evening was spent at home in the company of Mr Darren who had popped round, we had a quick skype with Mrs Darren and we all watched the baby as she rolled around the floor, I then did my usual and decided enough wine had been consumed and it was sleepy time.

BING

BANG

BOSH

PLOV

We had a late breakfast of the best bacon in the world, Cypriot picnic bacon care of Darren and My Beloved had his tucked away in a pitta bread, where as I had mine with an omelette.


Our day was spent in the sun, Celia has now left for Miami but she left with us for safe keeping her two reclining deck chairs, so My Beloved is now able to lay in the sun instead of sitting upright in a chair.

Plov [plohf] is a cult dish not only in its homeland Uzbekistan, but all over the former Soviet Republics and Russia.

Our evening was spent in the company of the KGB, which left us with a conundrum? Zheni had made the supper of Plov this evening and informed us we had to tell him which was better, the one Dina made the first time we went over, or the one he had made, we declined to answer that question for fear of retribution...... 


The trouble with living in a country that is two hours ahead of our native country means the football doesn't start till 9.45pm, we watched the first half with Zheni then left at half time for the journey home, poor Russia lost and are now out of the games thanks to Greece, poor Zheni.  But we will get to watch Zheni's other team on Tuesday, Ukraine are playing England, this will be interesting as Dina my Korean looking Russian friend will be wearing her England top, mainly because of an allegiance to David Beckham. 

The Help

Second day of training, offft where has my motivation gone, not even being surrounded by muscle studs helped my time pass any quicker, although sitting on the bike watching Karate Kid with young Mr Smith was entertaining, just not enough to glue my ass on the bike for long.


My Beloved had taken himself off for a stroll around town, and we met back at home, before showering and taking ourselves off for some brain freeze, I'm loving these iced coffees but the pain just keeps coming.


I decided to stay home tonight, as watching the football with nothing to drink is like watching paint dry, boooring they really need to sort out their wine list at the Bear Bar, so instead I stayed home alone and watched The Help a film I have been needing to watch for a long time, needless to say there were tears.


A rather drunk Geordie was escorted home around 1am by a rather tipsy Darren, I'm not sure who was escorting whom, but they managed home in one piece.  There was no peace through the night though as My Beloved kept me awake for most of it doing things he shouldn't, and I am talking leg positioning.........

Traffic Warden, no better in Israel than in UK

Having parked the car and walked to the ticket machine, I arrived back at the car to find an official looking man sitting on his three wheeled moped, I ignored him and opened the car door to put my newly purchased ticket on the window, the said officer then spoke  to me, being Hebrew I understood none of it, what I did understand was the fecking pointed finger directing my vision to the parking ticket on my windscreen, to say I was raging would have been an understatement, I have just walked and purchased a ticket I told him, I am not paying that, he did no more than phone a friend who happened to be his daughter, she spoke to me in English and said her father had not seen me, of course he didn't the machine was miles away from my car, but the nice young lady did explain that I had only to send the two tickets to the Municipality and all would be sorted, pffffft. 

Ze Germans

We decided to take ourselves off to Isifiya and buy some flowers for the garden, the trouble is I have no idea what flowers I want, or which one will be suitable for a garden that is blasted with sunshine all day long, so when we arrived we grabbed a trolley, strolled around the vast selection and then ran out of motivation so we left, guess the flower selecting can wait for another day.


We decided to take a walk down the German Colony, the heat was killing My Beloved who's hold ups were sticking to his legs, I ignored his whinging as being a female having to wear multiple layers of underwear is just the norm, he should try wearing a bra in this heat, clammy boobs is not comfortable let me assure you, and as for the little petticoat to stop your bum cheeks sticking to your skirt, it's like getting strangled in the mid section. We found a restaurant to eat and settled into our seats. I ordered Tabouleh and My Beloved ordered a selection on Israeli pastries, the plates arrived and my tabouleh could have fed an army, the plate was huge and overflowing, My Beloved was no help as he doesn't like this kind of rabbit food, so needless to say there was a lot of waste.


We then took a little stroll around the shops before heading home, our afternoon was spent with My Beloved working on his computer and myself I watched a little of criminal minds, we were meant to be going out with Natalie and the boys, then we weren't going out, and then all of a sudden we were, arrangements were made, and we would meet up at the Bear bar to watch the game and eat around 8pm, the footie didn't start until 9.45 so it was always going to be a late one, the bar was busy with like minded people and we spent our time chatting before the game started.


We eventually arrived home sometime after 12, very tired and looking forward to getting to our beds.

Clean up operation

I woke early and left My Beloved to his sleep having arrived to bed at 2.30 I thought it was wise, the toast I took through at 9am was well received although the lovely yellow flower I had left on the side of his plate was nearly mistakenly eaten as he thought it was a lump of cheese....


I cleaned up the house and the left over food from last night, I really do need to learn portion control, what I threw out could have fed a small nation of starving people, then My Beloved came through and we sat in the garden for a while and lounged in the sun, then around 12pm we decided to siesta - not a good move, 4.30 we woke having snored our way through the afternoon, I don't know how My Beloved will managed when he has to go back to work, he may have to get intravenous coffee just to stop him snoozing.


Our evening was spent with a walk up to the barbers as My Beloved was getting far to hairy, We met in with Dragos and Darren and spent a pleasant evening in Habank watching the world of Haifa pass by, then we took a wee walk around to the Crowne and met in with Sharbel, I collected a bag left for me by Scott/Amy containing goodies from America, and then we walked home, up the hill, My Beloved managed well on the hill, although he did ask if he was allowed a wee break when we neared the top, no was my reply and we continued home.  The walking is getting stronger and faster and pretty soon we could be down to one crutch, We eventually put ourselves to bed sometime after 12, snoozing in the day time fairly messes with your body clock.

Flying to Flag

This morning I took myself to the beach for a workout in the sun, although it was early like minded people were exercising with me, and we pumped and thumped whilst watching the sea and the walkers and runners .


My Beloved had decided to make himself a toasted bacon sandwich and when I arrived home he was busy trying to clear the mess of a burst bag of bread from the floor, I took away his broom sat him down and sorted out the pickle he had left on the floor, then I made his sandwich as I thought it would be safer.


It was then time to prepare the food for our visitors, Chilli, tandoori chicken, liver pate all cooked and then it was time walk up the shops, buy some wine and some nacho things and then home again. The boys arrived early evening, and our football watching began, it would have gone smoother had the streaming site behaved but it didn't and we ended up watching the match from the computer.


The evening passed quickly for me anyway as when there was only Dave left I put myself to bed in a somewhat drunken state and left My Beloved and Dave to it, 2pm I was woken by a man asking me to remove his stockings, luckily my slumber was not so deep as usual after a night on the grog or he would still be wearing them now.


I have to say I love looking after My Beloved, I like the fact that he is useless around the house just now, and unable to really fend for himself, thus is my life, a very Happy Housewife.

Dragos and Darren

Wictor

Dave and Mark

My Beloved trying to sort the picture

My Lovely flowers from Darren

Plastic surgery

We spoke with the surgeon a few days ago and we have been informed My Beloved had plastic surgery on his butt, and having removed all the dressings now I have to say it's a lovely butt too, who would have thought getting a hip replacement would get you plastic surgery, but I'm not complaining it's a beauty of a scar. Another thing that is a little disconcerting is the fact that My Beloved is getting far to adept at putting on his stockings, and appears to be enjoying it waaaay to much, only another 3 weeks to go and those babies are going in the bucket.


Today was one scorchio of a day, 32 degrees with a feel factor much higher, no shade and no breeze I was puckled quickly and decided today was not the day to sit in the sun. We had a terribly lazy day today, getting up late, and then taking a siesta in the afternoon, calls missed, mails ignored, eeeee it was lush.


Our evening was spent in the company of our lovely neighbour/landlord/friends  Nelly and Itzhak, we popped over for a visit and were entertained beautifully, Itzhak's sharped witted tongue is quicker than most people I have met, and he kept us laughing all evening, we were fed Borekas, and cheese with olives and bread and sat outside on the their porch overlooking the tinkling lights of Haifa.

Finger bobs

We decided to take ourselves off to the beach today, our planned evening became unplanned unfortunately, so the beach it was, we packed ourselves up and headed to the sun and the sea, Celia and Suely were already there when we arrived and we set up a couple of chairs for ourselves and pointed our bodies in the direction of the sun.

We sat, we drank, we toasted in the sun and whiled away a few hours before we were joined by the troops, Wictor, Dragos, Darren, Dave and Mark descended on our party. We sat chatting for a while before hunger got the better of us, not wanting to eat the delights that Nirvana had to offer we made our escape and took ourselves off in the direction of downtown, initially we thought we would eat in the German colony but I pointed the car towards Bat Galim instead and we ate in Abu Zid a delightful seafood restaurant I have been advised to try on numerous occasions by Natalie, great choice, we started with 15 plates of salad, followed by Jumbo shrimp and it was delicious, we could hardly move when we were finished which wasn't really a clever idea for a man on crutches, who's already unsteady gate was now hampered by a full belly. 

Problem with the memory, My Beloved has to sit with his hip higher than his knee at all times, this means where ever we go I have to carry a box cushion, the trouble with having a bad memory is I keep leaving the bloody thing in restaurants, cafes and even the golf club the other day, and today even though we were full we decided on ice cream, I left My Beloved outside the store with the cushion while I paid and then promptly walked past the cushion which was left on the ice cream cabinet. At least I'm getting exercise, as I have to travel twice the distance anywhere we go to collect the bloody cushion.

We arrived home with the cushion showered and changed and then sat to watch the football with some friends who had arrived, the wine flowed and the pate was eaten, note to self make sure you check your bottles before purchasing, Emerald Riesling is shit, but the bloody bottle is identical to the Sauvignon Blanc, four bottles in the fridge and no one wants to drink them, well except the vampire that is, he can have them all, especially as he bought a gift of fire water Palinka for My Beloved which is made from Pears, now that stuff would strip paint off a door just with the fumes.

Do not play with your food

NEEP

Our intercontinental problem of the day, this problem has been settled and unsettled over the years My Beloved and I have been together, but it reared its ugly head again yesterday, all because of one simple little questions


Neep???

Yep that was all it took, we now have the Scottish contingent, and obviously the only ones to be correct, shaking their cabers at the English contingents once more, the English contingent believe themselves to be right, although they are clearly wrong, and the American contingent have joined the disagreement by joining the English contingent.


It was friendly banter and entertaining but it is and always will be a NEEP, yes its called a swede, but not once not ever has it been a turnip, I rest my case.


Lou Lou is booked for a visit come October this old bird will have another old bird for company, can't wait. I know she is gonna be a pain in the bum, what with her fussy eating habits, have you ever heard of someone who doesn't like cheese because it tastes of cheese.....but on the up side having discovered spice in the last few years I could always blast her tastebuds with her newly discovered spice likes, that way when I serve her cheese, and bearing in mind its a staple base to most foods in Israel, she won't be able to taste it as her little buds will be scorched.


We had a lovely day today, lunch at the beach sitting in the sun, then a trip to Cesarea golf club for a coffee in the afternoon, lovely course, great weather, serious amount of fees to join, and even then you have to pay to play, so glad we sold our clubs, especially as I was such a keen golfer...........

BACON

We woke and sat in the sun and then had a little visitor for the morning, all visitors are welcome, but those bringing gifts are treated especially well, Darren was back and with him he had a heap of bacon, steak and Garam Masala, how delightful a concoction I could make with those ingredients.


We spent the morning chatting on the patio and then then HOT man arrived, not HOT because he was buff, but HOT because he could fix the HOT satellite system, we now have a remote in the bedroom which is fully functional and a system in the living room that will record without jumping.


We took a walk up to the ortho store to get My Beloved measured for his new TED stockings, no more bandages for this family. Then it was a slow walk back home as downhill is not easy when your unsteady on your crutches.  Celia and Suely arrived when we got home and were telling us about their adventures in Jerusalem and the Dead sea, and also Celia's impending departure for Miami.


We had chicken for supper which had been marinading all day in the fridge, it was lush and the roasted vegetables I had managed not to cremate were very tasty, no idea what they were though as one looked like a giant radish, but they roasted well and tasted better. I have decided to become more adventurous with my vegetable selections, mainly because there are some very odd vegetables here, and not a neep in sight. First thing I do when I get home is get myself a plate of mashed neeps, ewwww Im drooling already.

Now what DID I do today

Kicked some lazy ass and fed him regularly, that about sums up our day today.


My Beloved complains that I am over feeding him, but Doctor Levin asked if he was eating enough and I have to say he is, if he doesn't he would get put on the naughty step if we had one, or if he could ever get down that low to sit on it.....


We almost went out last night we got as far as the front gate, but the constant work calls and emails and more work calls put paid to that, so our evening was spent inside the apartment.

I just remembered something I did manage to do today, I found a store that supplies the beautifully elegant, ever one needs them, not everyone can get them TED STOCKINGS, so tomorrow I will try and walk My Beloved as far as the top of the road to the store to get measured, that means my good friend back home wont have to send them over to us, as I still haven't managed to find a blasted tape measure.

Playing Hookie

The ironing was calling my name so sweetly today I could not resist the temptation, at least I appear to be getting better at not stock piling the damned stuff, My Beloved sat outside whilst I slaved over the hot iron.


We fed the trees today this was a joint effort due mainly to the measuring of products, I have no idea what we are feeding them, but apparently it's good for fruit trees, lets hope so because it didn't look very nourishing to me.


Once the house was sorted and the clothes put away it was time to sit in the sun, we spent a while in the garden My Beloved covered from hip to toe in bandages, socks and a dish towel where the skin was uncovered, his farmers tan is coming on a treat.


We then decided to take ourselves off on a little jolly to the beach, getting in the car was tricky, but having regained some of his strength now at least My Beloved can now swivel both legs in together without loosing a limb, we drove to Carmel and parked the car at Sun beach having came in the far end of the beach it was only when leaving we realised it was easier to park the other end and would have been less distance to travel, not for myself you understand, but for the Beloved on crutches.


We took a stroll in the sun from Sun beach to Camel beach, very slowly and eventually arrived at a cafe where we sat and watched the world go by in the sweltering heat.  Two iced coffees later and we were cooked, but only on one side as the sun was blazing in from the sea. Whilst there one of the nurses from Elisha came over to say hi to My Beloved and check on his progress, then it was time for the return journey back to the car and home.  It was lovely to be out My Beloved is getting a bit clucky being stuck to the house.


Facetime with Lou lou when we got home was abusive to say the least, but most of it was directed at My Beloved, had a quick chat with the youngest two nephews, and then it was serious business, Lou Lou went over our redirected mail with us, most of which was designated for the shredder, then it was time for supper.


Tomorrow we have to phone HOT as our all singing and dancing tv system records, but jumps whilst recording offft, what a pain, and we all know how I love to speak with HOT, it will probably take me a couple of hours to get through to an English speaking customer care chappy, when all I want is an engineers visit.

Sleeping in the sun

Today we decided to try a new strategy, no shower until after the sunbathing, this way you don't need a bed bath too, so we breakfasted and were in the garden by 9.30am, the sun was glorious and leakage was heavy, not a cloud in the sky.


My Beloved is still complaining that his tan will only be on the front and all upper body, ear phones are a must!


We topped up our tans and settled down for another chill out at The House of Mather, listening to the radio and chatting between naps, My Beloved nodded in the chair and once I realised there was a risk of him dribbling down his chest I thought I had better wake him................ My Beloved often asks why he is the butt of all my stories, I just looked at him, raised my eyes and said nothing.


We have a friend in the UK who has offered to get us ted stockings for My Beloved's legs, but have you ever tried to measure someones thigh with a steel ruler, its not easy let me tell you, tomorrow I will try and find a proper tape measure, this could prove difficult.


We chatted in the afternoon with family, checking on the progress of the new arrival, who seems to be Mather shy just now, best make an appearance soon, there is a wedding at stake.


Showers were eventually taken at about 4pm, offt two sweaty people trying not to skate across the shower floor, not easy, showered and dressed we took our supper at the breakfast bar, this appears to be the best place for My Beloved to eat as getting his leg safely under a table is proving troublesome to say the least, Chilli with toasted tortilla and cheese on the top was lush.


Then it was time for our first trip out together, we took a wee slow walk up the road towards the shops, I made the shop My Beloved waited further down the road, as covering great distances just yet is not his forte, he did say it was good to be out though, although walking 200 meters from your front door is not exactly out, its a little like putting a foot out the bed, realising its too cold and putting your foot back in.

We watched the Jubilee celebrations on the TV until the peepers could stay open no longer then headed to our bed, My Beloved hadn't even been undressed fully before he was pushing up the ZZZZ'ds, I will be glad when we are six weeks further on and I can dig him in the ribs and tell him to roll over, this sleeping on your back malarky is noisy at best, and bed consuming to say the least, have you ever tried to sleep with someone who is Y shaped?

The heat in the house was tiring so the air con was left on for the first time all night since we have moved in, not to low though as I can't stand a breeze across my face as I sleep, the trouble with that is when the temp gets to the point you set it at your air con turns off, then you lay their cooking until the next cycle begins, I really should have set it a degree or two lower.

Head cook and bottle washer

We woke early again this morning, joint shower again trying not to soap the wound, then stockings on, My Beloved's not mine, and we are ready to face to world, well as long as the world comes to us that is.


We had an hour or so in the sun before the sweat created by the overly hot sun drove us indoors for a rest, then it was chore time.


I stood at the hob for hob seemed like an eternity doing my housewifely chores, Liver pate check, chilli check, the chicken korai gets done later, I took myself off to the supermarket once I had put my kitchen back in order, I really must do better at being a tidy cook.


My Beloved exercised whilst I was away, and then it was lunch time, being full of the cold it was lunch for a sick boy only, then My Beloved called the Little Princes, Eldest Prince first was full of the joys and is really looking forward to our holiday in the UK come July, Youngest Prince now has a new ipad as baby brother took a mental and smashed the screen, she is also grounded as she missed her school bus, but it hasn't put her up nor down.


We had a snooze in the late afternoon as this getting up early and exercising is taking it out of My Beloved, and I'm never one to complain when an extra few hours of sleep time are offered.


When we woke it was time to prepare the supper, our favourite chicken Korai was organised, hope we don't have to get to up close and personal with anyone tomorrow, that garlic bulb is gonna leave a few passed out people if we do. The pitta bread I put under the grill had to be discarded, note to self don't forget your pitta!!! once I could pick it up I doused it with water and put another one in the micro I thought it would be safer.


We had a lovely supper, followed by a couple of delicious treats from Gals bakery, a death by chocolate thing for My Beloved, and a nut filled pastry for myself. 


Then it was an evening trying to listen to the film on the TV, for some reason and we can't decide why, we have terrible trouble hearing our TV in the living room, it could be that the room is so large the sound just disappears, or it could be that age is against us, I prefer the first option, I did try attaching the surround sound to the TV but the leads we have don't work with the TV, so that idea was shelved, it could be that the whole house is tiled and marble which makes everything echo, I know this because we have to shout at each other to have a conversation, all I know is I can't lip read so watching the TV can be a touch tiresome at times, and lets not get started about the few channels we can watch pffft, I record what ever I can, usually films, next time you guys out in Sky land complain there is nothing to watch, spare a thought for us and our 10 channels of repeats...

Sympathy Pains

Why is it My Beloved gets the hip operation and Im the one that feels like she has been put on a rack and stretched to my limit, I'm only into sharing when it involves your food, and not pain!!!


My Beloved woke at silly o'clock having not slept well, so that was us up and out of bed, the shower time was amusing, for some more than others, the new none slip shower mat was in place, but there is no where to hold onto so I could do no more than shower with him, luckily for us it is a walk in shower with double doors or getting him in would have been an issue. Bandages were put back in place and then it was time to sit in the sun, My Beloved will have a better than usual farmers tan, but the legs with be as white as a ghost.


We lounged around most of the day, not really needing to do anything, the sun was extremely hot today, so once we were done on both sides, me more than My Beloved as sitting in a chair doesn't lead to all round tanning, and there is no danger he can get on or off a sun lounger in his current state, we went back inside, the garden has a fair few weeds just now but my head is willing my body is not, cos its full of snot, if I bend forward I drip, if I lean backwards I drown, the weeds can wait.


We spent the afternoon with My Beloved doing his exercises, through the house we walked down the garden path and down the steps, then underneath through the garages, we met Itzhak and had a quick chat, before My Beloved went back inside and I shot up the garage for iced coffee and capsules for the coffee machine, I arrived back to find him on his 20th lap of the house, this man does not understand little and often, he was chastised and put to him room!!!


We then called our good friend Val the Physio in the UK and checked up on the exercises he should be doing and when he should progress and so forth, Val kept us right and gave us a plan of action.


Our evening was quite and I think we went to bed around 9.30pm we are so rock and roll, Saturday and tucked up in bed what is occuring.

Before and After

my Beloved woke headache free, and a little bit closer to being an Israeli than anticipated prior to going into hospital, the 2 units of blood had worked and his headache was gone.  We woke and I put back on my uniform, shower time it was. That done we headed to physio for more torture with Yani, the trouble with having to lay down all day yesterday mean't the hip was a touch painful today just because of inactivity, but My Beloved persevered and the deeds were done.


We took ourselves back to our room and were told we could leave whenever we were ready, we didn't need to be told twice, we called Itzhak and he would collect us, we were given discharge letter, tablets, more tablets and just a few more, and it wasn't until we came home we realised there were no pain killers, good job we have a stash.


Once in the door it was cleaning for me, the apartment floors needed swept and washed having not seem a cloth since last Thursday, then we had visitors, work colleagues arrived threefold and I left them too it whilst I shot up the Centre to collect yet more tablets, dressings and cold tablets, best place to get germs! The Hospital, air conditioning.


I then hit the supermarket to stock the fridge with supplies needed for the weekend, I bought a couple of lovely bread rolls for My Beloved's lunch and then walked home in the sweltering sun.


We snoozed for the afternoon, both of us snuggled up on our bed for the first time in a week, very strange though as we have had to swap sides, as the fixed hip is needing out of the bed last, not first, I know this is gonna cause a couple of issues, least of all when I hook my leg and kick My Beloved in the operation site!!


Our evening was spent watching DVD's and just chilling, it was just so lovely to be home.


Whilst My Beloved was getting physio this morning I sent a photo of a wooden step to Mr. K to see if he could make one for us, this afternoon he and our Transylvanian friend arrived, Mickey the welder had organised the making of the step and it was beautiful, we are very greatful to the boys at Kishon for their continued help and support during My Beloved's recovery time.

BEFORE

AFTER

Exercise step, who needs reebok

Transfusion

My Beloved's head is no better today, and the painkillers are not touching it.  Physio with Yani began with the stairs and as expected My Beloved managed very well, we thought we were going home...


We had a snooze on My Beloved's bed for the morning as neither of us had much sleep, and I cozied into the side of My Beloved for a few hours, the head still was no clearer when we woke, so we spoke again with the nursing staff, then later we called the Surgeon who sent the anaesthetist to see us, they checked his back, the site of the epidural during his operation but nothing was to be seen, next it was bloods to be taken and My Beloved was attached once again to the drip, and then two units of blood.  We are now waiting for a personality change, and as long as its not vampiresk we will be happy.


Uri one of our neighbours popped in to see My Beloved and check on his progress, then I popped up the road for food and had a quick chat with Nelly and Itzhak, Itzhak was watering my trees and plants when I arrived, and then it was back to the hospital for another nights stay, please god we get home tomorrow.


We watched DVD's for the evening whilst My Beloved devoured the blood, the nurse that had set the blood up for him, said if he felt funny at all he should call, her explanation of funny was a little like watching Tommy Cooper, her charade was 'Just like that'.  Fortunately My Beloved had no side effects from the transfusion and eventually we got to our beds.

 Stair Practice with Yani