Hello, everyone! Me and Mister C would like to take this opportunity to firstly thank you, our avid readers for your patience and understanding over this past turbulent month. We apologise for no blog during this month (goodness!), we promise to make it up to you somehow soon! There has been more downs than ups in our lives at present, and we appreciate the time-out to regather our thoughts and selves in order to carry on…
Our thoughts go out to all people and families affected by the ongoing rental housing crisis in our regions. We sincerely wish we could take in a family or two who are finding it tough right now finding appropriate housing- it’s tough at present for you. Our thoughts go out to the communities suffering in the big freeze in the US, mainly in California and the terrible cyclones affecting Vanuatu and surrounding Islands at present. Mother Nature is certainly giving our world a lashing with horrid bush fires, cyclones, landslides, rainfall and now record snowfall. In times like these, we all need to carry on, but also support our dear families, friends, and neighbours any way we can.
Well, this past month has been quite turbulent to say the least. I have been struggling with ongoing pain and stress post weekly physio sessions, while juggling the set physio exercises, numerous medical reviews and appointments to try to get to the bottom of my ongoing right shoulder joint issues. I sincerely appreciate my Husband (and Widy who is driving too) for all his patience and driving these past weeks, without him I don’t know what I would do. I attended a lengthy and stressful Ophthalmologist (eyes) review in town and was told by the Ophthalmologist that I was ‘extremely lucky’ in the car accident. My right eye vision is still impaired with blurred vision, and I have had to upgrade to stronger reading glasses (not just a sign of ageing), which has been stressful, given the fact I have had perfect vision my whole life up until the car accident late last year.
I will admit, some days all I want to do is lie in bed and not get up (like some of us!), but I know that this is not the best or right thing to do for myself and family. I know Husband, the girls and Mister C do need me, in their own way. If I can continue to support them as best I can, then I am doing something good in my days. Sometimes I feel worthless with self-pity, having no real purpose in life, but other days I feel motivated to write and illustrate- which gets me through most times. I am continuing to have fortnightly reviews with my wonderful Psychologist, and I wish to thank her for her amazing listening skills and ongoing support. Thanks also to Husband, the girls, and Mister C for making me laugh, even when I don’t feel I want to…
Through these tough weeks, Mister C was also having issues at school (oh no!). We had hoped his start to year five would be a positive one, however Mister C came home the third day of the term (a Friday afternoon) upset, stressed and quite angry, that he had no friends in his class and that the teacher was brand new to the school, who we did not know at all. Husband and I sat down with Mister C and chatted about these issues, trying to alleviate his worries. Mister C continued through the entire weekend quite upset, not sleeping much and had a few bad dreams about school. I was concerned about the situation and given his needs, I decided to ring the school to discuss why he was put into this class away from his friends and hopeful for a plan forward. I had a phone call from the teacher the following day, who was head of the stage, who stated Mister C had been exhibiting disruptive behaviour and he was unsettled in class. I tried to discuss the issues and fears relayed from Mister C, however this teacher did not offer a positive solution to move forward.
A long story short (and for discretion reasons), I agreed to have a meeting with principal of the school (thanks very much) with Husband there also to discuss the issues and work out a plan moving forward. The meeting was to be held in the afternoon on my birthday, after my stressful physio review (say no more- great huh?). Mister C also bravely attended the meeting to discuss his behaviour and what the school could do to support his ongoing needs. I had attended the ‘meet the teacher’ evening at the school days prior, which was a good step in meeting his new teacher and seeing his classroom, which was overall positive. Husband and I were very proud of Mister C for discussing his behaviour and agreement to move forward, to get to know his new teacher and work with the other students in the classroom. All of this written however, I do feel a pang of regret that Mister C (with us) did not need to go through this whole unpleasant experience; if he had been put with at least one friend and a teacher who did know him, this may have prevented any unnecessary stress and worry (don’t you think?).
On a happier note, my cheeky Husband did successfully keep a big surprise from me on my actual birthday. My dear sister travelled a long way to surprise me later in the morning, having secretly arranged to stay the night for some birthday fun and celebrations (thanks so much C.M). It was such a big surprise, and I can only imagine my face showed it all! Having my sister there for the day and overnight was wonderful, and very beneficial post physio and principal meeting to be able to debrief in person, and then be able to unwind and spend some quality time together with the family too. Thanks so very much my sister, I love you more than words could ever convey. Thanks also to Husband (and kids) for helping to make me feel a little special, even after all you have done, to keep on going is magical.
A big shout-out to my nephew (D.M) for turning the big twenty-one earlier in February and to my dear friends (R & S. M), as it was R.M birthday only ten days before mine; we loved catching up with you and our friends as well- both nights were fun. I also had another surprise from a dear friend (thanks so much H.C), who brought over four new beautiful finches (and accessories) for my birthday. I wanted to acknowledge my dear friend, who after unexpectedly losing her dear mother at the end of 2021, has bravely chosen to pursue another hobby than breeding finches, of which will soon spark her own inner joy (love you!). We now have four beautiful new painted and star Australian native finches to care for and have added with our two original sweet finches. These birds are all so special and have already brought such joy to me! I have drawn five new images and have uploaded the six sweet finches onto the website this week- enjoy…
March 2023
A Word from Mister C…
I was feeling a bit down and in pain on the morning of my birthday. Knowing I had to attend another physio session in the early afternoon that was going to cause more pain; as well as having to meet with the school principal with Husband, about Mister C’s ongoing issues in the later part of the day, didn’t encourage the idea of much birthday happiness. Mister C came downstairs and gave me three big separate hugs and wished me a heartily happy birthday. He also said, “Gee, I love you, Mummy. You sure don’t look a day over thirty-nine! But even if you’re not, I will still always love you- even when you do turn the big 5-0!” Smiling, I rolled over and replied, “Oh, thanks, my son. I love you too! I wonder what today will bring us- fun or doom and gloom?” Mister C smiled and said, “I made you something special, I will give it to you this afternoon. I’m sure Dad got you something nice too, you deserve it all, as you’re the best, Mummy ever!”… 💕
Stay tuned…
We loved holding our bookstall at the Goulburn Show last Saturday. Thanks to all the wonderful people and friends who stopped to have a chat, buy a book, and offered support to me with my ongoing health injuries. We are so thrilled to be included in this year’s Comic Con event, run through our wonderful local Goulburn Library, is on Saturday 18th March 2023. Me and Mister C will be there to enjoy the event, share our children’s books and launch my new poetry book- is a little bit exciting! More info to come about our book launch and we will unveil the book cover design very shortly. Life has its ups and downs, but it’s the little things we pay attention to, that will bring us a bit of joy or sunshine in our day. Thanks for reading our blog, it means the world to us! Hugs Me and Mister C… 🙌
