Hello, Me And Mister C Here…

Well, hello there! How great is it that our blog is a day early today (yay!). Many will know that Me is having fairly major spinal (lower back) surgery tomorrow (hence the early blog); and yes it is also Halloween on the same day! Some may find it too superstitious, but I am breathing it all through at present. We are hoping for no spooky business in theatre, fingers crossed for a positive outcome and a smooth day tomorrow (we can only hope). I will admit, I am feeling a mixture of anxiousness and nervousness with my upcoming surgery tomorrow, particularly when you haven’t heard from the hospital as of yet about fasting and arrival times (all good things come to those who wait). I guess it is quite normal to have mixed feelings about having surgery, goodness knows I have had more than my fair share. These kind of apprehensive thoughts are due to the fact I have not experienced any kind of spinal (back) surgery (apart from my neck surgery); the spine is of course a delicate (and sensitive) area. Once we know my fasting (and arrival) instructions, I think I will feel more at ease; we really do not want anything to be cancelled or postponed (fingers doubly crossed).

Husband reassuringly stood behind me and said, “Of course it won’t be cancelled, Love. Why would it need to be?” (thanks my rock). Husband has been very attentive to ensure we can get the household jobs and all of the bed sheets changed before we leave tomorrow (a lot of washing there). We have been working on our ‘Zen’ garden and new gazebo. Husband, the girls and Mister C have also been helping to create our new cement (concrete) floor (I couldn’t do much to help unfortunately). I had a plan (and goal) to have the gazebo completed before my surgery; with the aim to sit outside on our new metal seat (and outdoor cushions) under the gazebo when home and hopefully on the road to recovering (sounds nice huh?). I am very grateful to my family for their ongoing help and understanding. I am thrilled that we were able to set aside a few dollars to purchase the gazebo and other items (early Chrissy gift for me and the family), while have the area almost complete.

I was lucky enough to have two special events on the previous two weekends before my surgery. The first was a happy celebration in ACT (at the ‘Yacht Club’) to help celebrate Husband’s Ma’s (Granny) big birthday milestone coming up early next month, with her dear friend who also had a significant birthday approximately two weeks ago (Hiya D.L & B.R and all!) Me and Mister C wanted to send out a big thank you to Husband’s parents and friends for a great party to celebrate the wonderous birthday milestones. It was a great weekend, catching up with family and other friends not seen for numerous years, including Husband’s Bro and partner (hiya B & S and all!). Husband and I were able to stay in a lovely hotel for the weekend and thoroughly enjoyed the peace and relaxation (in between nursing our little hangovers too). Having these events kept my mind away from my looming surgery and it has also given me some great memories, I can look back on while I recover over the following months or so (so grateful). Husband’s brother stayed in a hotel that was quite luxurious but want minimum environmental footprint, we visited his hotel room and we all had a laugh at how the hotel corridors from the inside look they are made of unpainted plasterboard!.

My dear friend (hiya L.S), who lives in Burrill Lake, down the coast near our favourite, happy place Mollybook (Mollymook- near Ulladulla), decided to have a forty years living in Australia party last Saturday evening. This was the second special event I attended with Widy. What a great time we all had and thanks to our dear friend for her wonderful organisational and decorating skills, making it a truly memorable night. I wanted to thank Widy for taking time out to drive us both to Mollybook and around town and back on Sunday afternoon. What great driving you did too- thanks so much sweetheart! It was lovely to spend some quality time together and be able to reminisce over times spent there spanning over fifteen years, including my memorable wedding with Husband there in 2009 as well. Widy and I couldn’t resist to take the walk down from the top of the beach (near the Golf club) down the path to the beach, where our ceremony was held- Widy was a young, sweet five-year-old flower girl.

On a bit of a unhappy note, we sadly lost one of our sweet (red) painted finches on Friday. ‘Robin’, one of our female finches was lying motionless on the bottom of the aviary; my heart skipped a beat and I quickly unlocked the door latch and put my hand carefully into the base to gently pick ‘Robin’ up into my hand. Sadly, ‘Robin’ felt cold and had already passed. Sometimes we never really know what happens to our birds and sweet pets; I checked the rest of the aviary and nothing was out of place. I guess it was ‘Robin’s’ time to head up to pet heaven (RIP). Our five other sweet finches are unusually quiet at present. I didn’t see any issues with the other finches, they may be just adjusting to their mate and friend not being there anymore. I let the girls and Mister C know of our loss, we lit a nice candle at teatime to celebrate ‘Robin’ together.

On a happier note, our magpie family are doing very well. ‘Monte’ and ‘Maggie’ are working very hard to keep up the feeding for all four cute magpie babies. last week Mister C asked what do we call a group of magpies? I will admit, I did have to look this question up (online), and found it to be a parliament or a mischief- which we both found quite funny. We have all been watching the sweet four babies grow up; they are now flying quite well for short periods, have lots of fluffy down and cute chubby bellies. We have been feeding the parents some rolled oats and a bit of leftover cooked corn, to help them out with the many mouths to feed at present. We don’t usually feed the birds much, but will do this for a short time. Who has ever heard of magpies having quads?! I enjoy having a cup of ‘Chai tea’ outside on the patio in the sunny mornings, watching these zany baby birds fly and run around all over our property (has been very heart-warming).

Here’s another Word From Mister C, goodness knows we all need a laugh in our day today! …

Dad was cooking tea in the kitchen, I was sitting at the dining table, with a soft pillow behind my back and sore right shoulder, sustained from injuries in our car accident (last year). Dad asked me if Mister C would eat ham and parsley in his soft, yum omelette. I shook my head and replied, “Oh, I don’t think he would want anything in it, you know he hates food being mixed together!” Dad nodded and then replied, “Oh, yes, I remember. Mister C doesn’t like trying anything new!” Mister C overheard Dad talking and ran into the dining room area and called out, “Oh, Dad, that’s absolutely right! It’s because my taste buds haven’t grown up yet!” We both looked at Mister C, who had a big grin on his face and we all had a bit of a laugh together…👅😝

A Word From Mister C…

Dad was cooking tea in the kitchen. Mister C jumped into the room and asked Dad, “What’s for tea?” Dad replied, “The best tea ever, my son. It’s angel hair!” Mister C frowned and replied, “Oh, okay, Dad. What’s angel hair? Can we eat it?” Dad laughed and replied, “Of course, it’s really soft spaghetti noodles and they taste delicious!” Mister C nodded, “Oh, okay, Dad. Why is it called angel hair?” Dad giggled and replied, “I think it’s because the noodles are really fine, just like angel’s hair could be!” Mister C giggled and looked into the cooking pot, “Oh yes, I think the noodles must come from angel’s hair then. They look so soft and delicate, just like an angle floating in the cooking pot!” Dad and Mister C both giggled. Dad sighed and laughed, “Oh, Mister C”…  😇

Stay tuned…

Sadly, there will be no full blog this next fortnight (apologies). I will try to write a shortened version, depending on how I am feeling with my recovery. I will make it up to you all soon and we appreciate your understanding over my recovery timeframe. In memory of our sweet finch bird, ‘Robin’, I have included the sweet illustration of her to celebrate her little life. We are looking forward to seeing a draft cover of seventh book shortly with our fab designer; this will definitely give me something to look forward to as well. Me and Mister C are aiming to attend the next fun Rotary Market bookstall in November (11th). We hope to see lots of familiar and happy faces there too. Stay happy and well, hugs Me and Mister C …💗