Hello, it’s me and Mister C…

Hello there… Nearly through the last remaining hours of the school holidays; are we happy it’s nearly over- or sad to begin home-school again? Are we ready for home-school? The new (cheap-no frills) laptop I ordered online for the kids to use upstairs, still hasn’t arrived yet; over two weeks since I ordered it- arrg! All parents and carers, should give one another a big (distance) pat on the back; for getting through a unique two weeks in ‘bug thing’ (as Mister C says) quarantine. Many of us are still smiling (most of the time- but craving some alone time!); our children are happy (most of the time), rested and resilient. For me, without children, I don’t think I could have made it through these past weeks; it has been beneficial and important to have had other things (like little people and pets) to focus on right now…

Saturday, we all remembered our loved ones, who fought in the two World Wars; including other historical and important Wars such as Vietnam and Korea, and later service right up to today. ‘Lest we Forget’ on this unique Anzac Day remembrance this year. Mister C and I enjoyed seeing some images of our friends, out early on their driveways as a sign of respect and remembrance, thank-you to everyone who did that (especially you A.C and B.C-we miss you!). My Grandfather Roy (passed away before I was born) was a soldier in World War II; my dear Nan, Betty was also a nursing Lieutenant in the War as well, before my Mother and Uncle were born. Husband’s dear Dad B.L was a Flight Navigator in the Navy, and served time for his country before Husband was born. Husband’s dear Grand-Dad J.D.M also served in the US Army for many years, including post-WWII Germany. We remember them all and say thank-you for their service, and what they endured during those often awful and difficult times.

Having had to work Saturday (someone had to continue the care for our dear patients), I stood on my drive-way at 6.15 am in my nurses’ uniform; I looked meekly up at the sky, then took a moment to remember our loved ones. I had asked Husband the night before, to remember our loved ones at eleven am, for a minute silence with Mister C and the girls. At my work place, we did the one minute silence too with our patients (luckily the dialysis machines didn’t start alarming in the midst of it!); we even had yummy Anzac biscuits to share with our cuppas- thank-you! (I usually make my Nan’s delicious Anzac bikkie recipe- no time today, maybe tomorrow, sorry kids!). Mister C said to Dad, after he stood in silence at the swing-set at eleven am, “Why do we have to stand in silence Daddy? Is it because the Wars caused death, and lots of people died? Bombs cause death, you know Daddy; they are bad!”… “Yes, my son”, Dad said; “Many brave men and women lost their lives for us, during both World Wars and other Wars overseas too. We remember these people who sacrificed their lives for all of us, so we can continue to live in peace in our lucky Country.”…

Okay, back to 2015 (we will get to 2016 soon!) … As I had mentioned in the last blog, we managed to squeeze a quick trip down to Mollybook with the girls and Mister C; the long weekend before, I began my seven-week long Uni placement at the Base in our town. I recall we had no trips to the hospital this time (thankfully), and had a lovely break surrounded by wonderous ocean and sand. We caught up with a few regular friends, is always nice to see our friends (particularly more so nowadays- hiya L.S!). Husband recalls, “I must mention, that being at the club that night with our two-year old, made me nervous enough to need a few wines, even though I was not officially having drinks that night! We had a fun disco, but I think Widy is kind of out growin’ it, which is a bit sad.”… It is always difficult finding things for each of the kids to do (or want to do), with nearly four years apart, the age gap is widening still…

So, I had made a seven week family plan (let’s hope it worked) for the my last (and biggest) Uni placement; Husband was prepped (as much as possible), the daily routine and changes that would be occurring over the coming busy weeks (hold on to your hats kids, it’s going to be a bit of a bumpy ride!). Overall, we worked well as a team and were used to going through busy (perhaps stressful) times; the girls were very good (most of the time) and we all pitched in and got the jobs done on time (mostly!). Naturally, we were a bit worried about finances over this time; with no regular income coming in from my casual nursing, due to the full-time unpaid work, I was having to complete in order to pass the unit. Thankfully, we had some savings put aside for this time, but there’s always some unexpected bill or car issue that would no doubt pop up! The first two weeks were tiring and busy, trying to learn a new nursing role in a new area (theatre). I enjoyed the work and settled into the new role, the best I could (with what nursing experience I already had under my belt). The staff were very kind, understanding and have to say, very funny! Laughter always makes a long or stressful day, just that much better (thank-you all!).

In the midst of the placement (I know, sounds silly doesn’t it?), we were trying to get out of our creepy rental property (bye -bye ‘Mr Chippy’), as the lease was near its end. We were also in the process of refinancing our current mortgage, in order to buy a property in our new town (when we found one); while not sell the property we already owned (Husband was adamant!). We had seen a few properties we liked, one in particular we became serious about (organised house inspection etc). Unfortunately, the property we had our eyes set on, fell through (a long story short); the vendors pulled out of the sale! (We did lose funds on the building inspection and some fees). Our solicitor was amazing though and very supportive (thanks again!); this situation is rarely ever seen in the property market world (but of course it had to happen to us!). I recalled months later, the property did have a large in-ground pool (that was unapproved mind you); the thought of Mister C getting into that pool unsupervised; who knows what would have happened to him (the cheeky Houdini he was!), this eased my mind on the whole situation, it was probably for the best… Husband recalls, “It was a bizarre situation, where the owner did not seem to want to sell the house; she hung around the kitchen, looking gloomy whenever we inspected the place!”

I managed (with the kids and plenty of good help from Husband) to get through the remaining weeks of the Uni placement; only to be told I was three days short, to complete my full hours in order to pass! Sadness came over me; I rung home in tears (again) and we came up with a good plan (after all the tears had stopped flowing- thanks Husband!). I was also able to negotiate with my placement officer, and nursing manager in the area; and stay back an hour longer each day, for the remainder of the placement (not good I know). I was hoping to finish before Mister C’s big third birthday on the 21st November (a Saturday- a good milestone I thought). However, I was told I had to work another day to make up the hours (Oh dear!); after all my other fellow student friends had finished their placements! I had no choice but to ‘suck it up’ (buttercup), and do what was required of me in order to finish; over six years of hard studying, this wasn’t going to stop me now!

Uni placement and exams nearly finished (Phew! I was more than a bit exhausted); we managed to organise a bright and colourful ‘Pirate party’ for our zany Mister C, who was turning the BIG three! The week before Mister C became unwell (Oh no!), he complained of having a sore, swollen mouth and couldn’t go to day-care (obviously). Husband stayed home with him for a few days, until he settled down. I decided to take him to A&E and have his mouth checked (he wasn’t eating much); ended up being thrush and I organised some medicated cream from the chemist. The next day Mister C had improved immensely, my heart began smiling again, and Husband could go back to work. The following week we had the party; it was a wonderful day; we had invited many of his little day-care friends and had organised a big jumping castle too. My sister and her family were able to come down (thanks) and we had a ball together (a bit of a de-stress party I think?). It is wonderful to say, we still stay in touch with many of these day-care friends and families all these years later (hiya all!).

A word from Mister C…

Sitting at the dinner table yesterday, Mister C and the girls were talking about food, and what their favourite ‘eats’ were. Flossy (second daughter) said, “Mine is ice-cream, ‘cookies and cream’ of course!” Mister C grinning, said, “I like ‘mud cake’, the white chocolate one! Widy (eldest) then said, “I like Anzac bikkies, the ones, Mum makes!” Mister C then piped up saying, “Yes, I love those too; what are they again? Oh! I remember; I love them. Those biscuits are delicious Mummy! Why do we eat them on Anzac Day?”… “Well, Anzac biscuits are an old recipe, developed by the Army Corps (ANZAC) that were established in World War I. The biscuits are made with ingredients that don’t go off; so, women’s groups were able to send these bikkies to loved ones who were on service. This helped cheer up the soldiers on receiving their parcels; something yum to eat and special letters from their loved ones. I make the bikkies from my Nan’s old recipe, as I love you all too!”…

Stay tuned…

We find a house to buy, it falls through a few days before Christmas… We then find another house to buy in the new year!…I get the letter of offer to work at the Base as a registered nurse the following year! We celebrate Christmas quietly this year, then we set sail on the Spirit of Tasmania, taking our car and luggage across the ocean, for our EXCITING road trip adventure across Tassie, from North to south (can’t wait!)…