Well hello there, lovely you! Me and Mister C hope you are keeping well and enjoying the (slightly) warmer weather. Not long now till our glorious Springtime pops up on our side of the vast globe! The fruit and wattle trees have begun to bud and blossom, which is always a lovely sign of good things to come along, including sunnier days very soon. Today, I am (very) happy to report, I am now typing a little better (and faster) with both of my hands, since my right wrist surgery (CTR) four weeks ago. It’s the little things that matter, and being able to effectively and accurately type is quite important for a writer and budding author…
Firstly, Me and Mister C wish to acknowledge and send our thoughts out, to all of the communities and families who have been affected by the catastrophic bush (forest) fires, that occurred in Maui, Hawaii between (and including) the 8th to 11th August 2023 and also the fires still causing havoc. As seen on social media and across the world, watching the devastation unfold was utterly heart-breaking. It certainly tore at our hearts, while also brought back many sad memories of our horrid bushfires back in 2019 in NSW (Aussie land). It saddens both Husband and I further, to think that some of this devastation and unnecessary deaths of loved ones, could have been prevented on the beautiful island of Maui, with the alarm system issues. Husband and I visited Hawaii twice in early 2008 (so lucky-we want to go back soon) and had first-hand experience of this glorious place, with its kind and friendly people- it really breaks our hearts. Husband and I were discussing donations towards a relief fund for the affected communities; let’s all think about donating something to this very real cause?
According to CNN… ‘The death toll in the Maui wildfires is now 110… as wildfire swept across the island last week, sending people scrambling for safety. With so many deaths and many more people unaccounted for, the governor has commissioned the state attorney general to investigate the response. But survivors, some of who were forced to seek refuge in the ocean, have demanded answers for issues like why no warning sirens sounded. Hawaii has one the largest siren warning systems in the world, but the 80 alarms on Maui, stayed silent…’ https://edition.cnn.com/2023/08/16/us/hawaii-maui-wildfires-death-toll-wednesday/index.html
On a little happier note, I have commenced our next seventh children’s book illustrations, while also finalising the manuscript to be sent to my editor, for some fabulous polishing edits (thanks heaps). Mister C and Me are very excited to be able to continue to create our books to share with everyone. Mister C has helped to choose our next favourite fifteen short stories to make up our, A Word From Mister C A Little Book Of Stores (Part Two) compilation, to follow on from our first Word From Mister C Book (Part One). I believe my designer is still away (overseas and due back soon- hopefully), so I thought it important to get a head start on our next book. We look forward to sharing some illustrations, and our next new cover draft shortly. I have uploaded a draft illustration for the front cover, let me know what you think of this next illustration, we love to hear feedback and comments from you all…
I have my left wrist surgery booked for mid-September, and will sadly be out of action for at least another two weeks (eek!). I will try to write a shortened blog to update our avid readers around this timeframe. I also have upcoming lower back surgery booked for late October (eek again!), with my Neurosurgeon in ACT, to help repair my ongoing nerve and spinal issues (cross fingers), since my car accident late last year. Again, I will no doubt be further out of action post this surgery, for at least two to three weeks (apologies in advance). I can report, Husband has prepared himself, yet again, to help me in the shower, and other such care needs I may require (sounds fun hey? Always my rock- love you!).
As I mentioned in our last blog, Widy had her second set of braces fitted (six top and bottom only this time) approximately four weeks ago and is now doing well tolerating her solid diet, chewing and brushing her teeth (is tricky with braces). It was then Flossy’s turn to have her full set of (metal) braces put on, with our caring dentist approximately two weeks ago. I am happy to report, Flossy did not lose any brackets (phew!), but has had a few issues with the wires and brackets rubbing on the inside of her gums (oh no- very sore). She has been able to use the provided sterile wax and has been successfully placing the wax on the ‘sticking out’ parts (we won’t mention the possibly swallowed bits of wax). Flossy is now tolerating a solid diet and is chewing well (thank goodness for that!). Husband was quite baffled by all this, he had never heard of using wax in relation to braces. Well done to both our beautiful girls. It is a hard time at present, but over time your teeth (and smiles) will be utterly perfect…
Through all of this and the ongoing numerous reviews and appointments for me, with my ongoing injuries (and pain), our Widy turned the wonderful nineteen mid-last week! Widy had a great birth-day, with myself and her boyfriend (hiya L.T) taking Widy out to lunch on her actual birthday (no school that day due to the remainder of the Year 12 exam trials-yay!). We had a yum pizza for tea and I managed to make a yum caramel mud-cake (don’t ask me how I did it!) with a bit of help from Mister C. Husband commented the cake was even better than a shop bought cake! (thanks love!). We are so very proud of Widy and the beautiful and strong person she has grown into. From starting off as a very small premmie baby (fifteen week premature to be exact) to watching her now be a fully grown adult, who is living her best life, is so precious and heart-warming to us all. A big thank-you also to our family and friends, who sent best wishes, cards and lovely gifts to our Widy for her special day, it means so much.
As many of you know, I have been working on my family history and life’s events, including recreating new scrapbooks for all of my collected memorabilia (since very young). I have been able to condense eight old, tatty scrapbooks, down to four new and improved books (a big effort); making use of the spare time I now have, while not being able to work or drive at present. This project has taken me over eight months, in between my painful neck and hand surgeries, along with all that life has thrown at my family and I over the last ten months. I am proud to write, I finally completed the first four books up to the end of 2006 last week! I will admit, it was difficult to throw out some old sentimental papers, photos and cards; but it had to be done in order to make this new collection work.
As some of you may imagine, sifting through old memorabilia from traumatic and emotional times can be difficult to do; conjuring up old memories and dreams, often go along with this type of reflection on one’s life. I had recently finished the scrapbooking part of when Widy was born so premature and losing her twin brother, Liam over this time (mid-2004) . My heart quietly broke all over again, having to relive some of the painful memories and events endured over this time. It was empowering and wonderful to be able to bravely share some images, photos and anecdotes with Widy, from this time last week over her birthday (I had already created and given Widy a baby album when young, of the first two years of her precious life).I do feel so honoured to be Widy’s Mum; we both were able to look back on how far we have come long since these hard times (over nineteen plus years ago now).
Over this time, I was able to make up a small photo album, with some old photos of Widy’s father when young and when with me, his family and some old friends, along with some cherished baby photos of when she was young. I gave this to Widy on her birthday, and it was a heart-warming and special moment indeed, to see the look on her face when she looked through the album. I have nothing but admiration and unconditional love for this young lady (of course, for Flossy and Mister C too); Widy has been through so very much as a premmie baby and to see her now as an adult, brings such an immense amount of pride and joy, that no amount of trauma could ever take away…
A Word From Mister C…
On the third day of our surprise trip to Tassie (mid-last year), we went to the Tassie Zoo (a forty-five-minute drive outside of Launceston). The girls and Mister C were thrilled to go visit another zoo and see the animals, especially the Tassie Devils. Our family goal over the past seventeen years, has been to visit as many zoos in Australia as possible… Walking through the zoo grounds and past the animal enclosures, we heard an almighty roar and rumbling from deep in the Zoo area. Widy looked up and said, “Ooh, that sounds like a very loud lion! Let’s go see!” We all followed Widy, as she quickly walked up to the Lion’s enclosure. Mister C gasped as he saw a large male lion, with his long hairy mane staring right as us. Mister C called, “Wow! That lion sure is big and loud, Mummy. He must be very hungry or something!” Dad and I smiled. Dad replied, “Gee, my son, If we jumped into that enclosure, we’d sure be a gonna! They look like all male lions too.” Mister C nodded and replied, “Yes, Dad, those lions would eat us all up, they’d be fierce all at once!” Mister C sighed and continued, “Oh, I get it. The noisy lion must be calling for his mate to come back. Those male lions are lonely all together!” We all laughed…🦁
Stay tuned…
Halfway through term three of school, we all look forward to the warmer weather (I certainly am with my sore joints), along with our short, booked trip away down the coast mid-September (just after my hand surgery to note). I will continue to work as I am able, to complete as many illustrations as possible before my surgery date comes up. Mister C is deciding what to dress-up as for the fabulous ‘Book Week’ this week at school. He is thinking of a combination of book characters, including ‘Where’s Wally’, ‘Pig the Pug’ and the ‘Halloween Monster’! I look forward to this zany outfit on Wednesday… Hugs, Me and Mister C💕
