Day 2: Titanium disks c 1983

The earrings I've selected for Day 2 are very special and come with quite a story. For my 17th birthday in December 1983, my thoughtful boyfriend gave me pair of earrings made by a local Armidale jeweller. It was an extremely generous gift from a cash-strapped university student. The earrings were trapezoid shaped sterling silver with a titanium piece bolted on the top of each earring. Being very a la mode for the '80s, they had an industrial look, and the titanium pieces were a mirror of the other, fitting together as a jigsaw. I adored these earrings and wore them constantly, until one day the thing most dreaded by all dedicated earring-wearers happened - I lost one!  I took it especially hard, as the relationship had ended sadly, and it was a reminder of the loss. A couple of years later, I decided I couldn't bear carrying the orphan earring around with me any longer, and in a cleaning frenzy before moving house, I threw it out.

Barely visible trapezoid earrings at High School formal with Mum and Dad, 1984

Fast forward to the year 2000. In an amazing sequence of events, involving my parents and my wonderful mother-in-law to be, Betty Armbruster, the stars aligned and my former boyfriend -the one and only Robert Ridley- and I were reunited. A year later we were married. Eventually I made a confession to Rob about the fate of the earrings. He took the news very well considering, and without my knowledge set about rectifying the situation. He tracked down Michael the Armidale jeweller who was now living in Tasmania, but who had stopped working at his craft. Amazingly, Michael discovered in his safe one more pair of that design, disks rather than trapezoids, but otherwise very similar. Rob arranged to have them sent, and presented these to me on my 34th birthday. This has set a pattern of Rob buying me beautiful jewellery, mostly earrings, every birthday, which will be on display in weeks to come.

Birthday 2000, Carindale

I don't wear the disks very often, probably out of fear of losing one, but they remain one of the most precious pairs of earrings I own. They express the gratitude I feel for having found Rob again and having his incredible support in my life - in good times and in bad.













Today is the day I have had my hair cut off, step one before it all all falls out and I try and embrace the bald. Again I have immense gratitude for having my loving sister Ree here to do the deed, and the opportunity to experience what would otherwise be a traumatic event in such fun circumstances, watched on by the boys. I started with a messy bob...transitioned to a Suzi Q mullett, and ended with the shortest haircut of my life...looking much like my Aunty Suzette.

Shortly after, I had a bonus visit from my Dad and Margie, who embraced the new me.

Wearing these earrings today kept me focussed on how transient this phase will be (though I think the short grey look might be here to stay!) and give me comfort knowing throughout it all and into the future I'll have Rob by my side.

Outside the haircut excitement, Day 2 was a good one. The steroids kept the nausea at bay, I had a lovely walk around Sydney Park with Rob and Molly dog this morning, and a delicious lunch at 'Meet Gerrard' with Ree. The boys bounced home from their stay at the Thomspon's ready for their next adventure - a trip to Armidale tomorrow to celebrate Nanna Betty's 80th. I'm sorry I can't go too, but lucky me, I have my eldest sister here to take care of me.