Hi, it’s us… Me and Mister C…

Well, hello… Firstly, Mister C and Me wish to send out our heartfelt sympathies to the families affected by the horrific tragedy in Davenport Tasmania earlier in the week. It was so sad to see on social media and the news (ABC network), of the tragic events unfolding. This tragedy is so close to our hearts, as we visited Davenport back at the end of 2015 and the beginning of 2016, when we ventured on our wonderful family holiday starting from this area. It is a beautiful community and we are so very sorry to have seen this happen, in this wonderful area of Tasmania (or at all). In all of the years with our children (and other family and friends children too) playing on this type of equipment and hiring similar jumping castles for our children’s birthday events, have we ever seen such a disaster happen. So close to Christmas and festive events, we can only (partially) imagine how these families are feeling right now. These now six dear children have been taken too early and too young; it must be so painful with the thought, these children have just finished primary school, and had their whole lives ahead of them. Our Flossy completed year six last year, for these parents to now not have their dear child with them anymore is heart-breaking; it is a tragic event that should have been prevented (investigations to be conducted and justifiably should be reviewed). Our thoughts are with you all…

Yesterday, Mister C reminded me again that there were only five more sleeps till Santa comes along and no more sleeps until he was going to sunny Queensland (QLD) with Dad- the day was finally here! Mister C was super (more than super) excited, as he was getting ready to go with Dad to ACT to the local airport, to finally get on the big aeroplane with Dad. In line with the QLD current Covid restrictions and policies, Husband and Mister C both had to have Covid tests conducted at least seventy-two hours before their booked flights; Mister C had already had at least one test a few months back and was more familiar with the process of the testing, so Husband wasn’t too worried about it. I met them both at the testing site after the testing was done and took Mister C home (results were of course cleared for that safe travel).

Days before, Mister C surprised me and was being such a good boy, with starting to packing his own suitcase (a green and red small case, with a plastic monkey on the front- how cute?) without being asked (wow!). It was nice to see how diligent Mister C was with his preparations and being more responsible for his items (it was good to see this positive behaviour has rubbed off). I did ensure he had his favourite soft PJ’s and shorts washed and ready to pack. Husband on the other hand, is often late with his preparations (no offense Husband- naturally everyone is different), packing that same morning they were leaving! I reminded Husband to leave earlier, as he didn’t want to miss the plane again this time, particularly with Mister C in tow (he will never live that down!). It was the longest time Mister C had been away from the family (apart form my stint in hospital back in 2018); I was a little concerned about the daylight savings time changes and whether Mister C would sleep ok in a unfamiliar house. All the same, we hoped they would have a great uneventful trip away together (fingers crossed- stay tuned for more on this next week…).

On a bit of a sad note (sorry all), being close to Christmas with our family pets; the nasty (and pesky- more harsh words spoken too!) fox unfortunately showed his elusive self around our property again, sadly snatching three of our beautiful (and defenceless) new chook girls. I was instantly struck with such sadness, my heart stopped for a fleeting second and my mind began racing as to what actually had happened. Somehow the girls were still out in the fenced yard area after the metal auto gate had shut down at the usual time frame around seven pm. Husband comforted me at that moment and commented, “I think the girls were still frolicking around outside in the warm evening, forgetting to go back in with the other girls before the gate went down for the night.” This made my heart sink even deeper (I did feel even more responsible); after hearing some nosy commotion with neighbours’ dogs barking at about eleven pm the night before; regretfully, I didn’t go and check on the girls like I have always done in the past (no excuse – but I was very tired after working all weekend- no good!). Since then, I adjusted the opening and closing times for the auto gate (making it an hour later in the am and thirty minutes longer in the pm). Flossy and I have also worked hard to further ‘fox proof’ the fencing to the side of our property (made us feel a bit better too- thanks for your help sweetheart). We installed more chicken wire to top of the metal fence, also weaving lots of old wooden branches along the fence, to help deter the pesky fox from getting in that way (the inner area is double fenced, with over five-metre-high fenced walls- the fox has never penetrated this area).

It had been over two years since the (horrid) fox had taken one of our girls, after we diligently (researched and then purchased) then installed the unique metal auto gate kit (such a great invention!). We were very happy (and perhaps became a bit complacent) with the set-up, it had all been working well (with regular battery changes on daylight savings time changes) and best of all, we knew the girls would be kept as safe as possible (until now). Widy commented yesterday, that she had seen two foxes on the road near our property, after she finished work late last week; she apologised that she had forgotten to tell me about the sighting. I replied that it wasn’t her fault, as she wasn’t even home when it all happened (at her dad’s place over the weekend, visiting her other family for an early Christmas). Flossy was most upset on hearing the news, I gave her big hugs and we reminisced on our busy, but rewarding time on raising of our sweet girls together. Flossy also commented, “Can we get some ducks next time, Mummy? The foxes may not be able to get them, as they are bigger and feistier?” (Now there’s an idea?).

Flossy and I also went down to Bunnings (so great) to get a few wooden signs (and more solar remembrance lights- so nice), to make for the girls (a bit of a tradition) and to also make a ‘no foxes allowed’ sign to put outside the fenced area (I know foxes can’t read, but it made us feel better!). Mister C and Me (with the girls and Dad too) say farewell to our sweet (and eccentric) sister girls, ‘Jasmine’ and ‘Ebony’, while also say farewell to our third dear and fluffy ‘Ivory’ (RIP sweet ones- you will be missed). Mister C said while having Mummy hugs (and a secret tear) after we told him what had happened, “I loved the girls, Mummy. I really don’t like that fox; can I get it with my nerf gun? I can try really hard and then the bad fox won’t harm the girls again; I don’t like to see you and Flossy so sad, Mummy?”…

To finish the blog on a bit of a more brighter note (sorry for the little sadness today), here’s another Word from Mister C…

Dad was in the kitchen making tea, Mister C was doing some homework (before school finished) at the dining table. Mister C looked up and said, “I think I need to go weight myself, Dad. I think I’ve put on some more man muscles this week!” Dad looked over and said, “I don’t think the new shiny scale is any good, I weight more on that one than the old one downstairs!” Mister C came back looking pleased with himself, “Oh, Dad, those new scales won’t work on you- you’re just too fat!” Dad looked surprised, then laughed, “Oh well I never!” He sighed under his breath… Mister C gave Dad a big hug then replied, “Don’t worry, Dad; the old scale downstairs is an old codger scale and the new one is shiny and mighty, made just for me!”

A Word from Mister C…

Chatting with Mister C about Santa one afternoon after school (before the holidays), Mister C replied, “Well, Mummy, I think the Bunny is a lot like Santa; he is very small, but very strong like Santa! He has blue eyes and is very fluffy. He is very rich and has lots of cashola, to buy everyone eggs for the whole world each year; just like Santa and the gifts he brings to all the children as well.” Taking a breath and smiling, Mister C continued, “The Bunny is very fast too, in order to hop everywhere to deliver the eggs to all the homes on time, around the world. I love the Bunny, just like Santa. I really want him and Santa to write me a note back very soon”…🎅

Stay tuned…

As my editor in chief (Husband) is away this week, I wasn’t able to get him to proof read the blog (flying a little blind today- oh so naughty?). Flossy was able to quickly read the blog for me (thanks angel!); so, apologies if there are any teeny-tiny mistakes (heaven forbid). Me and Mister C wanted to wish everyone who celebrates Christmas, a very happy day; we hope you are able have some peace and rest over this festive time as well. For others who celebrate differing customs and traditions, we hope you have a wonderful time with family and friends as well. Here’s to new beginnings for the New Year and let’s hope this new ‘Omicron’ Covid variant doesn’t take over the world (fingers crossed). Stay safe and keep on reading our blog; without you we wouldn’t have a happy working site. Hugs to all from Me and Mister C… 🌈