Hello… It’s Me and Mister C…

Lots of wonderous rain about this weekend (our chook girls are loving it!); up our neck of the woods, we’ve had over one hundred and seventeen mls and counting! It’s still raining and I noticed a few areas are flooded (not good); no chance of it easing up till Monday- I don’t think? (it always pours when it rains as my dear Nan would say!) …

Well, a bit of a crappy week for us this week (what’s new for everyone?); our poor Widy was really unwell last weekend (promised I wouldn’t mention it last blog- a little this one is okay). I had to call an ambulance to take her to hospital (haven’t seen her this unwell for about two years!). After three separate presentations, over the next following days to A&E; we finally had a few answers about her health. On the third presentation, we had a very efficient Doctor who did a thorough whole-body exam; picking up a few issues other Doctors did not (thanks heaps for your care everyone!). Pain eased, numerous blood tests later, I took Widy home to rest; a Respiratory Specialist review booked urgently for the following week (thank-you!)…

I have to mention, (I know Widy understands) every year around Widy’s birthday (without fail), she usually falls ill! Be it a fall, breaking a bone, cuts and grazes to her face or legs; or even worse- Widy ends up in hospital… As you may or may not know, Widy was the second of twins; born at twenty-five weeks premature. Her dear brother named Liam, was sadly stillborn first before Widy’s early c-section arrival (about forty-five mins apart). Even in ‘utero’, the two beautiful unborn babies, had a very strong connection together. We don’t talk about it much, but the connection has always been there; even when Widy was a small toddler, she would often call out “Lee-Lee” and point to her ceiling above her bed, in her bedroom and smile. Widy has often told me, “Liam is always around me, Mum. I can feel him most of the time.” … This gave me great comfort, as I tried to keep the babies ‘in’ for as long as I could (I literally did cross my legs and fingers too); having been on bed rest for over six weeks in hospital during that time (a very hard time indeed). Widy and I were talking about this connection a few days ago, when she was resting at home (no school for most of the week); we both agreed it was probably Liam’s way of saying, “Hello; I am still here!”; while letting us both know he was still there…

To also note, it’s Widy’s birthday next week- the BIG sweet sixteen! We are so very proud of her (even though she can be a bit of a pain sometimes- like all of us!). I thought it nice, to finish painting her room; with a new feature wall and wardrobe renos; with some new items to help celebrate the wonderful milestone… It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly sixteen years since your happy/sad birth (there’s no other way to put it really-I know Widy understands). We celebrate your milestones and wonderful achievements in life; but I will always have a (half) heavy heart, with your beautiful brother not with us here too…

Righto… It’s 2017- now the New year! Not everyone celebrates Christmas (this is important to acknowledge); out of respect to other cultures and religious beliefs; for the purpose of this blog, I write our family had a celebration. At the end of last year, we were able to spend some time with our dear Opa and family. Knowing it was most likely his last celebration with us; we took him out for a lovely lunch. Opa enjoyed his favourite dish of prawn cutlets, dipping sauces and veggies. I recall having to help him cut up the prawns, as he was having trouble eating the cutlets as it was. I enjoyed sitting with Opa, while he enjoyed his food slowly (using his hands was easier in the end!); after our tea, we held hands and watched the kids do silly things together and we had a chuckle about life in general (memories to keep forever). Husband commented, “On a nicer note, we had a lovely Xmas with Opa and family. The lunch was lovely at the local club; we also had a lovely late arvo and evening at M and J’s place, staying overnight in ACT together. Mister C took a long time to settle down, probably from all the busy festivities, but overall was a fun time.”

Husband and I were hopeful for a calmer start to the year. After selling our old property in ACT (settlement had finally come through!); we had some funds left over (after having to replenish our current mortgage at the banks request!) to purchase a newish car (for me) and the family. Unfortunately, we couldn’t decide on the right car for all our needs; with me deciding to take the initiative, and chose a car I enjoyed to drive; over a larger car that was heavy to steer etc. This caused some friction between Husband and I. Husband did comment, “Well, the extra funds in our account are causing more problems between me and Wife. First, she decides out of the blue she is getting a smaller car (Holden Trax); then is $2000 more than we agreed to spend!” (Sorry Husband, but the car is great to drive- even years later!) …

Not only did the dramas, with the new car take us through the New year (Husband kept saying the car was too small?!); but (unfortunately), our new house was not going well. The barking from the neighbour’s dog ‘Bella’ was relentless; the barking continued most late nights and into the early morning (our bedroom was the same side near where the dog lived!). We weren’t getting much sleep; therefore, were becoming like sleep deprived zombies (and a bit grumpy I have to add too!). We had a family meeting, and all decided the current home was TOO small; it was NOT our forever home after all (oh no! I hear you say!). In our hearts we knew it wasn’t the right home for us; the backyard was too small and the living areas didn’t create family space we all craved. We moved to our town to have space and privacy; not to be living in the suburbs- like back in our old home-town area!

So, in between visiting and helping with Opa; Husband and I looked around at a few large properties, in the local shire area; we found an amazing property, on the back of the Reserve South-West in the Town. Husband took Mister C to view the inspection; they came home and Husband said miserably, “It’s two separate homes with no staircase! It won’t be good for us as a family home- upstairs is too small!” I was super busy with casual work, and visiting Opa in ACT most other days; I didn’t think any more about the property. Mister C did say, “I loved the house, Mummy. I loved the HUGE block and the hill was FUN to roll down!” A week or so later, I was checking out the real estate section in the local post; I saw the images of the same property, that Husband saw with Mister C. Wow! I thought, this IS a great property! Later that afternoon, Husband and I have a chat about the property; his only concern was the staircase. I said, “If I can arrange a quote to get a nice staircase put into the top floor; would you be willing for us to make an offer?”… Husband said, “Yes!” and I guess the rest is history (don’t worry- I will fill you in over the next blog or two!) …

Sadly, Opa became more unsteady on his feet, some medications were not working (I was told). Opa had another hospital admission, for a medication, physio and mobility review. I was not able to attend the review (wish I had), as I had to work over the two days; on not hearing anything, I tried to ring Opa, with no response. Finally, I hear Opa was not ‘safe’ to return home; within days he had been (very) quickly placed into a Nursing Home on the other side of town. My heart sank to the deepest of darkest oceans in the world… I remember, I had promised Opa he would NOT be ‘put’ in a home (no disrespect meant here). It was Opa’s request; when we spoke about his wishes months earlier. I rang family to find out what had happened; I was told (shouted at actually), “It was none of my concern!”…

A Word from Mister C…

Sitting with Mister C on the couch, watching a bit of TV (not much else to do at present with all the cold and rain!); Mister C’s favourite TV show at present, ‘Teen Titans’ on ‘Netflix’ was playing. Mister C sat up and called out, “What’s a VIP, Mummy?” … “Oh, that’s a very important person, my son,” I said; smiling… “Like us, Mummy?” Mister C, then said, with a grin… “What’s the ‘A -team’, Mummy? Mister C then said, leaning in for a snuggle. “Oh!” laughed Dad; as he walked into the lounge room. “That was MY favourite show, when I was your age, my son!”… “Yes!” Mummy said; “It was a COOL show, with an even cooler group of mercenaries from the ‘eighties'”… “Ooh! sighed, Mister C; “Like an old grown up group of ‘Power Rangers’? Now, that’s what I call VIP!”… Happy laughter filled the living room…

Stay Tuned…

Mister C asks, “Why is Opa not at his home? Why he can’t walk anymore?”… I try and keep myself together, and take the girls to visit Opa at the Nursing Home. Husband warms to my newish car (the kids think it’s great!) and we decide to call the blue shiny car ‘Ken’. We put an offer in to purchase the wonderful property; we had fallen in love with- does it get accepted? We can only hope so! …