Do you have any access to trauma debriefing with a counsellor? It is good to process feelings within 24-48 hours of a traumatic event and useful to do so with someone with whom you do not have an emotional connection. Here we an organisation called Lifeline where well-trained volunteer lay counsellors do this - you can make an appointment for a walk-in session. They will refer if they need to. ETA: I may be using the wrong terminology. We have psychologists and registered counsellors here, but the word lay counsellor is also used.

Just before his release from Victor Verster prison, Nelson Mandela was treated in a State Hospital. My boyfriend's father at the time was his attending surgeon. They had a complete security protocol in place for how he would be brought into the facility, which routes would be taken, guards stationed at doors, vetted personnel, etc. All staff had to stay in the unit until his treatment was complete. Back in the day there were no cellphones, but all telephones were unplugged. He left very late at night, to be taken back to prison, and still told his guards to wait so that he could greet each and every one of the staff and thank them for working late and missing time with their families!

We have not written or received a check in twenty years. I know because I was recently purging old paperwork and found the check book South Africa's banking system is very progressive with outstanding security. The biggest problem is people falling for phishing scams and very stupidly sharing their logon details, passwords and pincodes (that are sent to one's phone as verification!). There are continuous campaigns that warn against this.

This sounds very similar to the UK system from what I understand (Laura, please correct me). One can apply to 5 universities total via the central system called UCAS. Provisional acceptance is on GCSE marks + personal statement + interviews for select courses such as medicine. Final admission is based on A-level exams (or highers for Scotland), which are also standardized. In South Africa, we also have standardized grade 12 (matric) exams through 3 exam bodies that are recognized by a central body called USAF (Universities of South Africa). You apply to university with grade 11 marks and give a 1st and 2nd choice per university. Applications are directly to the institution. Courses each have their own minimum requirements per subject as well as an admission point score that averages 6 grade 12 subjects that must include English, another language and Maths. Some, but definitely not all courses require a personal statement, entrance exam or portfolio, but this is university and course specific and are mostly required for the very competitive ones like Medicine, vetinary or law. Some courses are first come, first serve until capacity has been reached, as long as minimum requirements are met. Grade 11 marks are for provisional acceptance and confirmation is based on Grade 12 marks above minimum requirements for the course. One goes directly into a professional qualification from school. Six years for Medicine, 5 yeas for Dentistry and Veterinary, four years for Engineering and Law, etc. Other bachelor degrees are 3 years with at least two majors.One can exit at this point or continue with a year of honors in one of the majors, followed by1-2 years of masters.

Wishing you and your family the very best and that everything will work out as you hope.

A sash would look lovely.

I like the thinner belt. Do you have one in a lighter colour? One of the colours in the dress maybe? The Opshop might surprise you.

My mom passed away when I was 18, so no. It didn't occur to me to have my MIL over to help. She lived about an hour's drive away and she and I never got on well. The in-laws did come to see Dd early in the morning after the evening that she was born.

We have had mixed experiences with Airbnb. Some super ones with lovely hosts, a few that were meh, and one really bad l, where the property advertised was not the one we were given. It had less rooms and no shower in the bathroom, was dirty and dingy. We arrived late at night and had a very full day of competive sport the nect, so I ran to a Mall, bought clean sheets and we stayed. After emailing to and fro with the Airbnb bot and owner, I just gave up on getting a refund. We apparently had to complain the minute we walked in and not after.

I've read your story over the years Melissa. It has been a tough journey and I have the utmost respect and admiration for the compassion and dedication with which you care for your twins.

Yes to all of the above! My mind is on my job and retirement at the moment, so thinking of those first. I straightened my hair for years for the "corporate look." My hair is now gray, curly, and often frizzy, and I love the ease of it. I've also shifted to wearing flat shoes and comfortable clothes. Comfort over conformity. I've noticed that initially, some new consultants or colleagues might overlook me based on appearance, but a few sentences into a conversation, they start to notice. My reputation and accomplishments speak for themselves. I'm circling and will be coming in to land for retirement soon. My filter has always been a bit shaky, and now it's completely broken! I speak up and share my unfiltered thoughts and call things as I see them. I can coach and mentor younger colleagues to boost their confidence, identify their strengths and to reach their goals. They trust my "wisdom" and see me as a confidant. I've worked hard at building an emotional vocabulary and understanding psychology We did not speak about how we felt in my family. You were stoic and kept your chin up. As Ive got older, I learned to identify and express my emotions and clearly articulate my needs and wants. When I was young, I couldn't name what I was feeling. My girls have a headstart on myself at their ages. I'm not afraid to show my vulnerability with close friends and family. It has strengthened our bonds. I have a bit more time to 'do my own thing' now that the kids have flown the coop. I started art classes and found that as I no longer fear judgement, it just flows. I've made some drawings and paintings that I am proud of! No more underwire bra's! If you've stared long enough to notice the 'books' are not completely lifted and seperated, you've stared for too long. I'm post menopausal. What a relief! I can coach and mentor younger colleagues to boost their confidence, identify their strengths and to reach their goals. They trust my "wisdom" and see me as a confidant.

Thank you for the helpful and interesting replies. Please do keep them coming!

Dh and I have been juggling our corporate careers and home life for 30 years. Twelve of mine were part-time work and part-time homeschooling with an au pair to help. Weekends were a whirlwind of competitive sports, chauffeuring the kids, errands, socializing, and squeezing in a bit of hobby time. We live in a 3rd world country where having a cleaning service and gardener is common, so we need to spend little time on chores. Since last year, we are empty nesters. We see one or both of the kids most weekends and they're obviously more independent, but basically its more of the same with a bit more time for our hobbies and for (online) volunteering. When the girls have completed their studies, we can retire, Last night, we had discussion about how we'll fill those extra 50+ hours each week. It's a bit of a blank canvas, and we're curious to hear from those of you who have already taken the plunge into retirement. What does your daily routine look like? Or, for those on the brink like us, after you've ticked off the big bucket list items, what are your imaginings for a life without the responsibilities of children to care for and no more nine-to-five grind?

I have a similar story to you Melissa, but it was in a pool. I was about 6 and we were visiting an aunt. My 3yo sister fell into the pool. I yelled at my sister to hold out her arm. When my Mom came running as she heard me screaming, she found me lying on my stomach on the edge of the pool, holding up my sister. I wasn't strong enough to pull her out. We were playing it the garden while the adults were inside. The pool was fenced, but we somehow managed to get in.

For direct calls to landlines or cellphones Skype credits. Business (and some family) meetings - Zoom or MSTeams Business texting - Signal Social and personal texting - Whatsapp ETA: For signal and WhatsApp, the recipient also needs an account. For Zoom and Teams you can send a meeting link and the recipient can connect via the Web

This

Katie, with the amount of people let go at once, could they start their own company?

I'm glad that your brother is clear now Melissa!

This.

Dh's diagnoses of Esophageal cancer has been extremely stressful, but I am glad that it was discovered early due to a related, but different condition, and I am very very glad that we have good medical insurance so that he can have the treatment needed. There have been some serious complications of the major surgery that he had (oesophagogastrectomy) and some of the last nearly six weeks - and counting - in hospital have been very tough. I'm very glad that he is improving and I'm also glad that this has given us a lot of time to just talk, reconnect, and set goals for the future.

You really do have a good eye for products Kareni!

I'm so sorry that this has happened to your husband, and to you Katy.

Thank you for your thoughts and good wishes.

Thank you Saraha. I appreciate you thinking of us. The holidays were unusual, but we were together and made the best of it. Dh was moved back to high care today, so unfortunately he is starting the New Year with a bit of a setback. We are, however, thankful for good medical insurance through work and that he has access to the care he needs.

There are many jobs in the logistics industry that you can work towards (or that is the case here) Logistics scheduling of trucks / rail Redistribution scheduling Freight forwarding Receiving / dispatch in a warehouse Running a bagging plant Etc