I wanted to start this week’s blog with a BIG shout-out to everyone! As Winter creeps in, I know we all deserve a little kindness and care this week. So, Me and Mister C want to say THANKS to everyone for getting up in the morning, for doing all the chores and jobs, while getting through each and every day; PLUS, care for our families and continue to go to work, whatever that special job may be! We have all been through a few tough months, it’s not going to be much easier with the cold weather upon us, let alone when the winds arrive (do we need to move-again? No, only kidding!) …
So, it was Husband’s birthday last week; I can report he had a happy day, filled with lots of hugs and gifts. We enjoyed our little drive up to Bowral and back (thanks for the driving, Husband; it would have been nice for you to drive a bit faster though- over 100 kph won’t harm your car!) and enjoyed a nice lunch outing. I have to say, it did feel quite strange sitting near other (unknown) people eating food; something we all haven’t done for some time now. The next day after Husband’s day of laughter, turning the big fifty (no, not really- still a low forty something!), Mister C said to Dad in the kitchen, “Hey Daddy, now that you’re forty-seven, can you do everything that forty-seven year old’s can do, now?! “Dad laughed and said, “Yes, my son; I can do everything and more!” Flossy piped up and said, “Well, Dad; c’mon and show us what you can do, then!”…. Dad flexed his arm muscles; Mister C was suitably impressed, and then tried to flex his arms, just like Dad…
A week or so back, Husband and I decided to do a BIG clean up in our wardrobes, and the other cupboards in the house too. I have to report, it was a mess, too many clothes shoved in all spaces; some not worn for several years (perhaps from widening waist lines?) I offered the girls to come take a look in my wardrobe, to see if there were any items they might like to have to wear. The girls took one look and said, “No thanks, Mum; we’re all good!” I did feel a bit sad by this (as clothes are expensive), and I did think some items would look nice on the girls. I asked why they didn’t want any of the clothes (not even one!); Flossy said, “They’re a bit old, Mum!” Widy then piped up saying, “Yeah, they are nice Mum; but they really are out of date!” I sat down on the bed and realised; I hadn’t bought a new outfit for some time (a long time I think!). “Okay”, I sighed; “Everything will have to go to ‘Salvos’, then!”… I did check with a close friend (Hiya! H.C; hugs to you and catch up soon), and was able to drop off a few bags of some nice dresses and outfits for her girls. After all that work, it was a good feeling to do a good clean out, of old items (and old memories too) not worn for ages (more room for some new outfits I think?). gosh, we must have donated at least seventy items (does this classify as a hoarder?); it felt really good too…
Okay, back to 2016… It was early March; we had just spent our first night in our new home. Not knowing about the troublesome neighbour’s dog, when we had inspected the property the previous times; perhaps we would not have rushed into buying the property so quickly? Husband commented, “New house and the move was mostly fine; got angry the first night at loud barking dog, that was about ten metres from our new bedroom window. I wound up going outside, yelled at the dog and threw a plastic chair at the fence (naughty grumpy (and very tired) Husband!). We have since met the neighbours; the dog has only barked annoyingly a dozen times over the last week, and does not bark at us. So, probably can live with it; but I tell you what, if I had seen that dog there beforehand, I would not have let us buy the place!”…
So, the first few weeks were difficult with unpacking, working nearly full-time; while also dealing with tired kids and a grumpy Husband, annoyed with a barking dog (Husband’s worst nightmare). We managed to get through, as we always did; with little help but from supportive school, after-school care and wonderful day-care staff (thank-you!). With the girls after school activities, like piano lessons for Flossy and Karate for Widy; we decided to stop the swimming lessons for Mister C. It was a battle trying to get him to participate with the group, let alone stay in the water! So, we decide to postpone lessons till the end of the year; funnily, Mister C didn’t like the pool; but loved being dipped into the water at the beach (funny boy!). I recall feeling very exhausted these particular weeks (not to mention getting a throat infection, where I did unfortunately lose my voice for a few days!); with finishing my first rotation, and all the required work and skills, that had to be assessed and marked off. I enjoyed this rotation; I am still very thankful (and proud) for the kind and helpful staff, who worked tirelessly around me for the whole three months (thanks all!).
Through the tough days, we had some calm and happy times, in our new home. Mister C and the girls were thriving; enjoying our new house and backyard, with our new trampoline and swing set we had bought as a late Chrissy present (we had promised the kids after we moved house). I recall just how much work it was to put all the items together (thanks Husband); it did distract us all from the barking dog to note (it did settle down too-THANKFULLY!). We also managed to buy and put up about six wooden screens along the side wooden fence, to block out the neighbours workshop noise and dog barking; it worked quite well, for the most part… Husband recalls, “Well, the dog next door has only barked about a dozen times in the last week; so I feel quite hopeful!” Things were looking up; Husband went on to comment, “Holy smoke! I got five numbers in last Saturday ‘Lotto’, won about $900! Most I have ever won in ‘Lotto’, in over twenty years off/on playing! Have not surprised Wife yet; just tried to cash it at the local newsagent; the staff there had just gone to the bank and couldn’t cash it today!”… SO, things were looking up for Husband and his win-fall. He did share some it with me; I think we put some of it towards, the flights for our upcoming QLD trip soon.
Now the end of March; I was pleased to call out, that I had opened one of the last boxes in the garage (yay!); the unpacking was nearly done! Mister C was doing well, no major incidents or accidents to note (thank-goodness!). Husband recalls, “Mister C is soooo cute and sweet; it seems each morning he has more interesting analysis for me. Yesterday, he came in to our bed at about 630 am, and wakes us up for big snuggles. After about one hundred and fifty days in a row of this; and knowing there is at least another one hundred and fifty more, it bothers me; I am however torn, because in a year or so he will no longer do it, and I will miss it.” Husband went on to comment, “Mister C and I scrunch our faces up into bizarre grins, and stare into each other’s eye and rub noses. Mostly, when I sing, he still calls out ‘Noise, Daddy; noise’; to get me to stop!” (Mister C still comes into our bed most mornings, so don’t worry, Husband!). Easter came and went; we met our lovely neighbours to the back (behind) our property. We shared our choc egg hunt together with their two kids, while swapped stories about moving house, it was fun (Hiya R & K. M)…
Early April, I managed to swap a shift off, in order to attend my University degree ‘Graduation Ceremony’ in ACT, with Husband at Parliament House (sadly, was only allowed one guest). I recall, it was a very busy day (but rewarding) by firstly, dropping the kids off at day-care and school; then driving to ACT, and catching a bus from the City to Parliament House. I recall, we had to navigate the grounds to find where the ‘Great Hall’ and my degree group were; then try on my required (hired) outfit, and purchase my special ‘mortarboard’ graduation hat (still have it to this day!). We then had to have lunch (and a champs to celebrate), take some happy snaps to send to family (of course!); then walked around and met some of my Uni friends. Poor Husband, ended up sitting for several hours by himself (I was seated in another area); he must have clapped more than four hundred times, until it was my turn for my appearance on the graduation stage! Overall, it was a great day (I think we were five mins late getting the kids from after-school care); I felt very honoured to have been there, and to have graduated (all that hard work had paid off!). I have to add, I was really pleased Husband could join me that day; without him through all the years of hard studying (and as my editor- is still today), I doubt I would have made it through (love you lots Husband!)…
A Word from Mister C…
“Stay calm, wash your hands and wear your soft pyjamas into the forest, to find our buried treasure!”…
Last week Mister C was talking to Dad, and he ran into his room to find something. “What you looking for, Mister C?” I said, smiling. “Oh, Daddy and I are going into the forest to find our buried treasure! I have to find some more things to take, to put in our treasure box for next time.” Puzzled, I helped Mister C get out a few more coins from his money bank and off he ran. “Don’t worry, Mummy”, he called; “It’s just my old tin with some coins, we buried!” Finding Dad, Mister C said, “C’mon Daddy, let’s go for a walk into the forest, and find our treasure.”… “Yes, my son, let’s go!”… “We forgot it once, I don’t want to forget where it is. It’s your b’day soon, I want you to have the treasure, Daddy!”…
Stay Tuned…
For more zany stories of love, life and family… We finally finish unpacking and have settled in our new place. I have a two week annual leave break booked after my second work rotation (a well needed break); we head off the sunny QLD, to see Husband’s Bro and family (Hiya guys!). We book to stay somewhere close to the beach and ‘Currumbin Wildlife Park’ (the girls and Mister C love animals, and so do we); very EXCITING to take a plane trip!…
It is such a pleasure to hear of the exploits of this family!