Hiya! It’s Me and Mister C…

Hello…. Mister C and I hope you have had a better week this week, with all the school and family routine adjustments, work changes and social distancing we have had to do. We all know this is a necessary way of life at present (to help fight the virus); but in the back of our minds, know it’s only for a short period of time in our lives (we will get through). I know for Mister C and our family, we are looking forward to a quiet Easter break this year; spending quality time together is a special thing, we shouldn’t take for granted (and stuffing our mouths with lots of delicious chocolate too is also VERY good!). Mister C and the girls, have settled (somewhat) into our new daily routines; home-school work first in the morning, with finishing assignments (for high-school Widy) reading, writing, then playing games and building cool ‘Lego’ creations (Mister C thinks so, anyway!). While, the afternoon is for drawing, baking fun and outdoor play-time. This seems to work for us at present, getting our work done early, and then having more relaxed (fun?) tasks to do later, settles us down too (no Mummy stress this way either!).

I have to give another BIG shout-out, to all of the people and families who are in self-quarantine at present. Mister C and I, can imagine how difficult it must be at present; we thank those thousands who are self-isolating and staying at home (or elsewhere) to help stop the spread of the ‘bug thing’ (virus- as Mister C calls it). Also, I want to send another shout out to all of our hard-working medical, nursing/midwifery staff and allied health workers in our community. Every-one is working hard, particularly these great people, who are really supporting our community right now; we thank-you for all of this work and sacrifices you are making… As you know, I am a registered nurse working in Renal services (dialysis); I don’t work the front line in an Emergency Department, or on a chaotic ward, caring for patients who (unfortunately) have contracted the virus (well, not yet anyway). I admire everyone, and know all is being done to help stop the spread of the virus. I did want to politely mention (a lot of social media going around about it too- I know), please only wear a mask if you are unwell, immuno-compromised or a health professional has advised you to do so (we really need to keep our limited supplies, for the people on the front line and unwell patients).

Moving along… As you may have read, both my book-signing events were cancelled due to our current situation (understandable- but frustrating nonetheless!); I decided to do a local ‘book run’ (drive past with book) with our new book for friends, who live locally. Thank-you everyone who bought a book, your support is really appreciated; was great seeing everyone’s faces reading the book (very special). I decided to take a quick trip down to ACT yesterday (Saturday), to do another ‘book run’ for friends residing there (the trip was mainly for business- do you believe me!?). I took Flossy (second daughter) with me, as we are only allowed two people in a group at present (thanks for the driving company my sweet girl!). Thanks to all for supporting our book, it meant a lot to us. It was lovely to catch up at a distance (can I get a hug soon!?), and exchange the book and a have a quick chat (love you S & R, M & M, B & T, D, & A and wonderful pets!). …

Okay, now back to 2015… If I remember correctly, it’s the middle of a cold winter in our town; Mister C is nearly three (later in November) and we are all getting through the winter school hols, chilly winds and weather together (just). I believe it was warmer than our previous city, but with the gusty winds, the chill- factor was extreme. Our two-story rental property didn’t have great insulation; the house would rock in the storms and some nights I recall, the winds were so strong in the area, I thought the windows upstairs would break in… Mister C (who was dressed in multiple layers before bedtime) woke early most mornings; had his usual routine for that time, of stripping off most of his clothes, and hopping out of his low cot; all the while turning the bed-room light on and off, and calling out for one of us at the same time. Husband recalls, “A few nights ago, at about eleven pm, Mister C woke up upset and turned his light on crying out for me and Mummy. He was so very cute, with his sad little face for-long, complaining about ‘monsters’. I found it funny, I guess because, if it had been the girls at the same age, I would have been quite worried and sympathetic. Not sure because he’s a boy, or the case of ‘been there and done that before thing’, I just found it kind of amusing!” I guess, with ‘Mr Chippy’ (our friendly spirit) events going on at the house (he was calmer those months), we were immune to the idea of ghosts and monsters in the house?

Proud of our girls with getting through the first semester at their new school; both did very well with their school reports and settled into the school well, with some ‘alike’ friends. Flossy (second) started playing the piano at the Conservatorium here in town; had a competent teacher, was learning sheet music and notes on the piano very well (bit of a natural- like my sister!). Husband commented, “Last night, Flossy was playing ‘This Old Man’ with both hands simultaneously! Very impressive, given she has only been learning a few months.”… We celebrated Widy’s eleventh birthday mid-August (is always a tricky birthday in the midst of Winter); we had a fun chocolate- cake sleepover, organised with a close new friend from school (Hiya J.T). Is special to note, girls (to this day) are still good friends at the same high school, in some of the same classes too…

I may have mentioned, Husband was having work issues with a difficult branch manager during this time; mainly due to not being able to work from home one day per week, to help with kids while I was at Uni and my last placement (sounds funny now five years later, with Husband currently being required to work from home full-time- no questions asked!). It became very stressful for Husband, when this manager caused issues with him not being able to take any personal leave; even a couple hours to collect girls from school when Mister C was sick at home with me; and to provide medical certificates for any time off during the coming months. These issues went on for several months, with poor Husband complaining (a lot) about this person. Husband recalls, “He, openly told his Branch Manager’s Superior in front of about a dozen other staff, that in his twenty-two years working for this agency, this was the first time he had been bullied in the work-place!”

One day out of the blue, a month or so later, Husband announced, “I went to an impromptu branch meeting, apparently this person is leaving at the end of the month! Gone will be the person who made me feel so awful about my request to work from home; who made me grovel to have two days off a month to help with my young family- and this after more than twenty years of loyal service! I am mentally jumping for joy, I had to put on my ‘acting skills’ to stand there and listen to the news, without so much as smiling!”… I wanted to mention this tale, as it was a difficult time for both Husband and myself; with juggling both our work, the family and my Uni placements. With no help, but the two booked (then three down the track) daycare days and after school for the kids, we managed to get through these busy months; something I will always be very proud of as a family for achieving (thanks Husband!).

A word from Mister C…

“How many days until Easter Daddy?” Mister C asked, lying in bed with Daddy this morning. “Oh, I think about six days, my son”, Daddy said giving Mister C big hugs. “Oh, great!”, said Mister C; “I love the Easter Bunny! Did you know he has pink fur, wears a green shirt and a bright pink tie? His eyes are blue and the soles of his big feet are bright pink; I love Easter! The Easter Bunny is very kind, and gives us a lot of chocolate eggs; he is very good to deliver eggs to everyone and SO strong, but very small. I bet the bunny weighs less than ten kilograms? Not like you Daddy, you weigh more than one hundred kilograms!” ‘No, I don’t!” Daddy called, sitting up in bed; “I weigh a lot less than that; but I do love Easter eggs, just like you my son!”…

Stay tuned…

For more toilet training fun with Mister C, who thinks he is now ‘Batman’; more Uni fun (or not fun!) and my last seven-week placement looms around the corner. Mister C turns the BIG three! We look at moving out of the rental property, as not comfortable; should we buy a property here and keep our current one in another state? I think so, but Husband isn’t so sure!…