Hey ya’ll, it’s Mister C and Me… 

A warm hey ya’ll… hello from the USA this week, a traditional form of saying hello in this fabulous country of America. Me and Mister C wanted to acknowledge this great country, after receiving some very sad news that Husband’s Great Aunt Betty. H. had sadly passed away just before Christmas, after battling poor health for some time. Our hearts go out to our dear Uncle Bill (Betty’s husband for many years) and the rest of our dear family and friends over in the US. We also believe Uncle Bill has been in some poor health, having also been recovering in a hospital in their hometown area. We love you Uncle Bill and please get better soon! Rest in peace our dear Aunt Betty…

Me and Mister C also wanted to acknowledge the struggles more communities are facing at present, with flood-prone areas and rivers overflowing in the Hunter regions in NSW and other regions in Western Australia; our thoughts are with you all over this terrible time indeed. It has been exactly one year since our horrid flood to the lower ground floor to our house- it still haunts us all. It was a very stressful and exhausting time, but we did get through it together, and we know you all will too. Just breath it through, with time and patience your homes will come back to life once more…

Happy New Year to all our readers and families l as well! We hope you and your families with friends celebrated in great style, for the hope of a better year ahead. Any New Years’ resolutions? As many readers know, last year was a difficult one for us, particularly towards the latter part of the year with our serious car accident that rocked our lives. We wanted to again thank everyone for their well wishes and messages of kindness and hope. My neck post-surgery is healing well, I have an eight-week review coming up next Wednesday (how time flies?) with my Neurosurgeon and my neck scar is healing quite well. It is unfortunately still a long road of recovery for me, with ongoing nerve pain down my neck, right shoulder, arm, and hand. I reluctantly made an initial consultation with our Physio centre in our local town, for a consult and review of commencing physio. I am worried about starting any form of physio, I know from my experiences of being a registered nurse that it is going to hurt!

Well, we are about half way through the summer school hols now. How many times have your children or grandchildren complained that they’re bored? I don’t think the girls and Mister C have once said the word (well-maybe Mister C once!). Widy has had several adventures and trips away with her boyfriend and his family, overall enjoying the time spent together and the events. She has made a full recovery after her nasty wisdom teeth surgery before Christmas (phew!). Flossy was super excited and lucky to have been able to head back up to Sydney, with her bestie cousin and my sister and brother-in-law, after they spent two days with us over NYE (love you guys!).

It was wonderful for Flossy to have had a lovely break and the girls enjoyed some really fun activities around Sydney, even taking in the sights of Watson Bay and the beautiful Sydney Harbour Bridge (thanks my sister and fam!). Husband and Mister C are looking forward to their annual trip up to QLD together, booked for the last week of the school hols, to see Husband’s Bro and family for a few days (let’s hope Mister C keeps his rashie shirt on this time and doesn’t get too sun-burnt either!); happy twenty-first to our dear cousin up there too (hiya L.C and all!). Husband and I are also looking forward to a small trip away with Flossy and Mister C at the end of this week; unfortunately, Widy has to work over the weekend, so she won’t be joining us for the whole time, maybe a day trip- which will be nice. We can’t wait to get our fill of the glorious beaches at the Gong and some much-needed sunshine and relaxation in (it has been many months since we had a getaway together).

I was flicking through some of my thought-provoking quote books and found these to share instead of any New Years’ resolutions from us this year – enjoy!…

Where there is love there is life.  

Indira Gandhi (1917-1984 Indian Prime Minister).

Nobody has ever measured, not even poets, how much a heart can hold.

Zelda Fitzgerald (1900-1948 American born writer).

The past was. Tomorrow may be. Only today is.

Beth Mende Conny (1955- American born writer).

There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.  

Albert Einstein (1879-1955 German-born American physicist).

A Word from Mister C…

Mister C was sitting at the computer table upstairs near my studio room. It was time to hop off, as Mister C had been on the PC for some time (too long!). I asked Mister C nicely to turn off the PC and he didn’t answer, a few minutes later I asked Mister C again and then he replied, “No, not yet, Mummy!” I peered around past the wall between us at Mister C and said, “Alright, a few more minutes only then.” A few minutes had passed and I asked Mister C again to hop off the PC and he then agreed. I looked over at Mister C about five minutes later, he was still sitting on his blue chair at the computer table. He was staring blankly at the PC screen with his headphones still on his head; “What you doing, my son?” I said, as I gently pulled off his headphones. “The PC is off and you’re still sitting here?” Mister C smiled and then said,” Oh, my brain must have been buffering that whole time, Mummy.” …🧠

Stay tuned…

Flossy has kindly agreed to collaborate together on some illustrations for my exciting new book project, that is now underway. So far we have completed eight fabulous illustrations together (so proud of our girl); I found an old photo portrait of myself at aged fourteen in 1988 (oh my!), that we will be using as a cover idea (uploaded with the blog this week). I can excitedly also share, that I will be producing an adult poetry book of all the poetry I have written throughout my life (over forty years’ worth!). I am thrilled to have the opportunity to create and produce this new series of four books; the first two books will be produced fairly quickly, the first should be published before March and the second by early May this year (fingers crossed!). We also look forward to holding another of our fun book stalls at the end of January or beginning of February (depending on Husband, as he has to drive me and help set up…). Enjoy some wonderful sunny weeks coming up. Hugs and care; Me and Mister C… 😉