Hi there… Mister C asked me to write about animals in the blog tonight. So, Mister C specifically said, “Animals are our friends; we need to care for them, give them fresh water, the right food and give them lots of cuddles. ‘Coz you don’t know what might happen to them if you don’t!” Mister C also said, “All animals are creatures, and they are all beautiful!”… We lost one of our birdy friends yesterday, and this was sad to see too. Mister C and the girls were down; we spoke about this for a while (and then played a game), and how important it is to look after our pets; while also show respect to our native wildlife. All creatures are vulnerable, just like us; and it is up to us to look after each other….
Righto, back to 2015… Things were more settled at home with ‘Mr Chippy’ at night, making sure we all tucked into bed before eleven pm helped. Mister C continued to have some unsettled nights through the week; making him a bit of a handful during the day, from (obviously) being overtired from lack of good deep sleep. Husband recalls, “Mister C is a real sweet, lovely boy; but as much a handful as ever! Never forget how I felt the need to watch him constantly, unless he was in the playroom; scared of what he would get into next, breaking things, or drawing on the carpet etc. I am worried he’s going to hurt himself; he just runs around crazy almost all the time.”… This did put a strain on both Husband and I, where my upcoming second last Uni placement was around the corner too (how ever were we going to get through? – I did think to myself). I had committed myself to work (casual) at the hospital, two to three days a week; when my placement was on, I would have to work at least one day over the weekend, to help towards the house-hold budget (placement was unpaid of course!).
As ready as we could be for my placement starting mid-March, I received an unpleasant phone call from the Placement office at the Uni, stating I was not able to start my placement. I was (naturally) worried and upset by this, as I had to complete this unit in order to continue and finish the degree. I (reluctantly) called the office back, and was informed that my immunisations were not up to date; I assured the officer that everything was in order as per my immunisation record. However, a further phone call later, I was told that my Hep B titre was low, and I had to have another injection and blood test. This was likely to delay my start date for the placement! I rang Husband (very upset) and had to vent it out (as you do!). It all seemed too difficult that day, where I was ready to throw it all in… After having a phone cuppa (a long hour conversation over the phone- while having a cup of tea in different towns) with my sister (love you!); I felt better and ready to face the world again. I rang my GP (thank-you), who organised a booster, with a speedy blood test and review of the results. After three long days of waiting, the GP’s rooms rang me with the results, and turns out my Hep B titre was above the required threshold (thank goodness for that!). SO, all was good in the world again; I could commence the required four weeks placement in ICU after all…
The next four to six weeks were tough (to say the least) with juggling the family, placement and work! Good Husband (better than good those weeks!) looked after crazy Mister C; husband pulling his hair out some days, while others cruised along happily. Husband recalls, “This four-week placement with Wife working six days a week is damn tough, and putting plenty of stress on everyone. I have to do the morning or evening stuff with all three kids day after day! Anyway, the sweetest thing- when I got home yesterday, Mister C and the girls came running up to me calling ‘Daddy’ and gave me big hugs; made it all worthwhile.” Poor Husband had car trouble the second week, this time it was his car battery- his car wouldn’t start! He had all three kids in the car, about to do the busy school and day-care drop off run, while drive all the way to ACT for work. Turns out our new neighbour heard the commotion, and came outside to help Husband (too kind-thank-you B!). Husband recalls thanking the man for his help (had to jump start the engine to get it going) and realised his name was the same as his brothers; how uncanny, as it is an unusual name too! So, poor Husband had to ring NRMA for a new battery, then run kids late to school and day-care. Of course Husband didn’t get into work that day, his difficult manager (at the time), caused issues with him having to get a certificate for the leave taken and explain why! (more on that one later) …
The difficulties continued that month; with poor Flossy becoming very unwell (more than usual) with a nasty stomach bug mid-way through my placement. Flossy vomited several times on the bathroom floor at four am, not being able to attend the holiday program that had been booked for both the girls. We ended up having Husband take more days off work to care for her, take her to the GP (and get that all needed carers certificate) and then quarantine her away from everyone else. Poor Flossy, a very grumpy and tired girl indeed; we were all grumpy and tired indeed! Just when things couldn’t get any more stressful, we had a phone call from the rental agent regarding our rental property; the air-con had died (again!). What were we going to do?…
A word from Mister C…
Mister C and Flossy were playing outside together. I heard Mister C shout something as he pointed to the ground. I heard him say, “Oh, no! I can see an owl on the ground, it’s not moving!” I stopped what I was doing, and went to where the kids were standing. “Don’t touch it, Mister C, let me take a look”, I said. “Oh, dear! It’s not an owl (thankfully), it’s a yellow wattle bird (still sad); it looks like it has fallen from the nest up there.” Mister C looked unhappy, “Oh no! Is it alive, Mummy? It’s not moving and there’s ants over it, YUK!” Mister C turned and looked sad, he began to cry quietly, his hands over his face. Dad came outside too to see what was going on (and to help take the bird away). I gave Mister C a cuddle, and whispered, “It’s alright my son. It’s Mother Natures’ way sometimes, often only the strongest survive; like after the bad storms and fires.” … “No Mummy!”, Mister C cried. “Why did the world get made, where animals have to die? All creatures are beautiful creatures Mummy!”…
Stay tuned…
I finally finish my four-week long placement and pass well; we end up refinancing to assist with repairs at the rental property and savings for the remainder of my placement and Uni. We have a small Easter celebration (with fun choc egg hunt) and visit the local church (for good community spirit). Flossy celebrates her seventh birthday with lovely friends and a happy fun-filled day indeed. We celebrate the end of Uni (for the semester- one more to go!) by booking a getaway down to Mollybook (Mollymook) staying at a beautiful seaside villa!…
Love hearing about the comings and goings of this family!