Well… Into our second week of the school hols; Mister C and the girls, have had some rest and relaxation; but are now complaining they are BORED! Widy has worked many days, at her casual Maccas job this week; she calls out, “I’m not bored, Mum; just a bit tired!” Luckily, our wonderful cinema centre has just re-opened (thanks- cheering!); after many months closed due to the Covid ‘bug thing’ (as Mister C calls it)- unfortunately. We are SO very pleased it has re-opened and the centre, didn’t close permanently- thank-goodness! (not a whole lot to do in our town, during Winter and Covid).
As I mentioned last Blog, I changed jobs recently from NSW Health to private nursing (thanks all for the friendships and laughs over the past six years or so!) I began my new job orientation this week; I can very excitedly (and relieved) report that I had a great first day! Wonderful to work with such a caring and kind group of staff and management; with (not to forget) delightful clients too (of which I really look forward to spending time to get to know over the coming weeks) …
Finally, we had some (saved) funds to purchase a new king size mattress for our bed; the old mattress was over six years old, and VERY boggy in many places! I would roll over to the middle of the bed, feeling like I was climbing a hill. On rolling over to the other side of the bed, I felt as though I was rolling down the hill! SO pleased to have been able to purchase a new one; good price and our backs are no longer suffering (thanks Trish, from OMF!). It’s amazing how many people, don’t actually achieve a good nights’ sleep. Whether it be from a bad mattress, or uncomfortable surroundings; it’s really important to get a good rest, don’t you think?…
I had to laugh; Mister C saw the old mattress outside; leaning up against the wall downstairs. He looked puzzled and said, “So, Mummy, the mattress is now outside; are you and Daddy going to be having a sleep-over outside now?” I laughed and said, “No my son, it’s the old mattress; we had to pull it outside, in order to put the new one in our bedroom,” (that might have been fun?). We had an old single mattress (from Mister C’s room renos- earlier in the year) that was also outside, leaning up near the old king one (a ready-made mattress factory really); waiting to be taken away. I had rung a few places, to see if the mattresses could be taken away (with a fee naturally); but, alas! no-one in the area could do the job; with the terrible ongoing Covid situation (blast the virus thing!). In the end, I rang the local tip; it was forty dollars per mattress to be deposited at the centre. In the end, Husband and I managed to get both mattresses on top of his car (with the roof racks- did look very odd mind you!), and tie them down, with the stretchy tie ropes. We slowly drove off to the tip early Saturday morning (a couple of weeks back), and dropped them off (eighty dollars later- thank-you!). It was finally good to get rid of them (no more mattress factory at our place!); funny to also see the MASSIVE pile of other old mattresses there, waiting to go to another home (where ever that was going to be); Husband did sneak a funny pic to show the kids and to have a laugh…
Righto; back to 2016, (nearly finished)… As I last wrote, I sadly damage my right ankle, end of September; falling over the garden beds, we had just installed at the side of our house. Husband recalls, “During the night, Wife’s ankle pain from fall over garden bed on Sunday, was much worse. So, she took herself to the Hospital early morning (A&E); ended up staying overnight with pain and swelling. Turns out she has a fracture in her ankle area from the CT scan! She now has a moon-boot, crutches and can’t drive!… I had to take her to an MRI appointment in Bowral on Friday; so had to miss out on our work party of the year- Oh well!… She is hobbling around and quite miserable; she wants to get normal jobs done- and can’t!”… Miserable to say the least! I felt terrible and felt I had let our OR team down, with this unplanned time off work from my New Grad year; let alone help Mister C and the girls, with their needs and routine. Everyone was very supportive and it was, as Husband said, “A forced rest,” which I did need…
We had booked a short trip down the coast (prior to my fall), over the long weekend in October; at our usual favourite spot, ‘Mollybook’. We decided to continue to go (even with me a hobbling cripple at present!), the kids were so looking forward to going; we thought it might help us all unwind and relax for a few days… Husband had popped in to see our dear Opa, a few times over these weeks; while I couldn’t drive and go myself. Opa was recovering fairly well; his mobility was a worry and became an issue. The Physiotherapist from the Community, was due to come to his house to have a review with him and family. I was naturally, very concerned about the situation; again, I felt bad, I couldn’t be there for him at present. I phoned a few times for a nice chat; Opa seemed in good spirits, which was the main thing.
So, armed with my trusty moon-boot and crutches- and all the items everyone else needed too, (not forgetting the bucket and spade Mister C had tucked firmly under his arm); we headed off on our trip down the sunny coast. The trip down was uneventful (no car sickness that day- thank goodness!); the weather was lovely and bright, and we all began to unwind. It was wonderful watching Mister C, playing happily in the sand; the girls jumping confidently in the surf together- memories to last forever… I managed to hobble around the best I could, taking my (prescribed) pain relief only when I really needed it (made me drowsy); a glimmer of a smile began to shine again…
However, Husband was snappy (overly) at me and the kids, throughout the trip (I was probably outwardly grumpy too); he said a few too many unnecessary comments (of which I felt down about). The last night of our stay, Husband pulled out a bottle of vodka and I recall him saying, “I’m going to make some ‘Bloody Mary’s’, and stay at the club! I’ve had enough of your misery!” (think he had forgotten how sad I was about Opa too) … I lost the plot after the final comment (tears and some shouting); we ended up not speaking to each other for the remainder of the trip (I know – not fair on the kids). We drove home in silence; my attention remained focused on staying calm for Mister C and the girls. Husband ended up staying (banished?) in ACT for several days, to work out some of his issues. I struggled with my ankle; but had time to think too- was best to stay home with the kids. The girls were super helpful and caring (thanks girls!); Mister C was difficult (many melt downs there!) and missed Daddy. Husband came home later that week; we did have a heart-to-heart and a family meeting. We were able to work out some positive solutions, on how we could move forward; to get through a REALLY tough year (was a very tough time- wasn’t it, Husband?) …
Through these difficult weeks; Mister C always knew how to brighten us up, with some silly moments and milestones… A few nights later, Mister C was joking with everyone at the dinner table. All of us were laughing together; Husband recalls, “Mister C was making up some story about how he fell into chocolate, and it got all over his face and hands. It was a very special moment, when I think how he smiled so brightly; laughing and how he loved to see us all laughing at his jokes… It was heart-warming, Mister C showing his zany personality was developing; great to see how much he really is like me- he is going to love to make people laugh.” (of course, we all know that is so true!) …
A Word from Mister C…
Stay tuned…
Husband and I continue to actively work on our relationship; spending some quality time together (not nit-picking at each other). My ankle slowly heals, and I can walk and drive again; Mister C turns the BIG happy four! We celebrate with family and friends, while spend lots of quality time with our dear Opa. We find a sweet, but nervous dog from Renbury Farm (oh no! says Husband). The girls do very well at school, and we all look forward to Christmas and the school hols (and the end of my Grad Year- soon to be a real nurse?!)…
Ups and Downs!
Interesting times for Mister C and his delightful family!
Thanks for your comment Granny; we are glad you are enjoying our stories. Hugs from Me and Mister C…