Grapefruit Marmalade

Tonight I'm making Grapefruit Marmalade - the grapefruit and lemons freshly picked from trees around our house. It feels like life is normal listening to the spin cycle of our washing machine whilst I'm in a house making jam... and helps the evening pass quickly.

Last night Samuel was pretty good - just a couple of times waking and needing to be burped/asperated...then he went to sleep quickly. I was woken about 3am by some drunken louts and police outside the emergency department which is below me, but the noise channels up the building. I did toy with the idea of hollering 'SHUT UP... there are like 300 people trying to sleep here!' from my 6th floor window, but then realised I would have woken up the rest of those not already awake with their skirmish. Maybe I'll take water balloons in tomorrow night.... hmmm now that's an idea!!!

Samuel continues to improve slightly, but slowly. Today the Drs said that we'd still be here over the weekend and into the start of next week, as Sam's respiratory requirement is still higher (he went back up to 2litres last night) than he was when he was at home. We're happy to stay where he is best, but frustrated as it would be so lovely to be all back under one roof again.

This afternoon Candace and I made a pavlova - inspired by the book 'Mrs Mayors Pavlova Palaver'. So that was fun and nice to just hang with the girls. They haven't been in to see Sam this week - but are keen to head in tomorrow for our tv dinner - which is fish'n'chips sitting on the bed watching a dvd.... and of course they'll get to see Sam.

Our hearts are heavy this week as our friends daughter Aria (www.aria.org.nz) is deteriorating and the Ministry of Health are delaying the decision regarding transplant.... it's been dragging on for months and things are very serious now with Aria's health. If you have time do check out her website and pray for this whole situation.

Best wishes, Shirl