Day 8: Deb's green sparkles

James starting Year 9

James was jubilant to be returning to school today, no better ambassador does St Andrews have! He thrives on the central city setting and the inclusive culture of the school, and loves his teachers and his mates, boys and girls. He's entering Year 9, that year bursting with hormones, first broken hearts and all the other teenage angst. During the holidays he's grown so much he's now officially taller than me. It was a complete joy to see him bound off to the station this morning after bringing us our early morning cup of tea, which has become his routine. Gratitude!

Lou and Deb, Old Parliament House Canberra, 2016

Today I'm wearing a pair of pretty green crystal earrings given to me by one of my closest friends, Deb Brennan. I remember Deb bringing these to me as a gift from Melbourne shortly after I'd had Angus, when I was sleep deprived and in serious need of some sparkle!

I met Deb when I first started working in the Government Department, University of Sydney in 1991. She is someone who provides ballast to my life. Deb has been there through the rollercoaster of relationship breakups, my reconnection with Rob, the birth of the boys - who she treats as if they were her own nephews - and Mum's death. She's not only been a friend, but an amazing mentor to me, always ready with sage advice on dealing with the often ridiculous and sometimes outright bizarre twists and turns of life in academia. We laugh a lot!

Brennan and Chappell, 2006

It's been a privilege to be able to work closely with Deb, an internationally renown social policy expert. One of our first collaborations was the edited book 'no fit place for women'? (NB the punctuation!) on Women in NSW Politics. I still love the cover of that book - very cheeky! It may need a second edition now we have just had our second female Premier elected, though our fundamental argument still holds about the NSW Parliament being the quintessential boys club.






The book was launched at NSW Parliament House. Anna, Deb's lovely daughter who is also an important member of our clan, was there and helping to look after James, then three. During proceedings, he looked at her and asked "but where is the Rocket ship, and when will the book be blasted into space?" He was awfully disappointed to learn the speeches were about as fun as it was going to get! I was thrilled to find this gorgeous 
photo of Anna and James from the launch in my photos today.

Anna and James ready to launch, NSW Parl. House 2006

Deb and I have had lots of travel adventures together - Paris, Edinburgh, Switzerland - but one thing I NEVER thought I'd do with Deb is go fishing. But this is precisely what we did earlier this month in the most serene spot outside Bermagui, southern NSW. Technically, she and I didn't do too much fishing... 

Fishing Expedition Jan 2017

...but we did provide essential backup support as Mel, Deb's wonderful partner, and the boys hauled in a good catch. 

Angus' catch of the day, January 2016

Through Deb it's been such a pleasure to get to know Mel, who is kindness personified. The two of them gave us the most fabulous holiday at Bermi just before treatment started, which was exactly the tonic we all needed. 

Day 8, one week on from the first infusion and I'm travelling well. A lovely morning tea visit to Deb and Mel's recently renovated jewel box of a house, some shopping in Newtown, and home to the air-conditioning. The temperature is so oppressive and unusual. My scalp is fizzing anyway, it doesn't need further encouragement. The heat makes me feel very cross, or maybe that's the hormone depletion that comes with the treatment that's kicking in...joy oh joy!