My wedding jeweller, Sarina, gave me these earrings as a gift after she finished making my wedding jewellery - she made them from some remaining crystals from the shoulder straps she made for dress. I love them because they remind me of one of the pairs of earrings that first got me started on this obsession - my maternal Nanna Clare's 1950s era single crystal earrings on a chain. Nanna lived in Armidale too and we spent lots of time with her as kids. Arriving at her house, I'd head straight for her jewellery draws and spend hours playing with her earrings, almost all made of sparkly rhinestone. My Aunty Suzie who was still living at home at the time, reminded me of this only last week. Nanna had a great selection - all screw or clip-ons because she didn't have her ears pierced - which was perfect for a 8 year old who wasn't allowed to have hers pierced until she reached age 12.
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| James, George and Olly about to outstretch Poppy, tonight |
I'm wearing these today to mark the celebration of the 'Three Amigos' cousins' birthdays. As I've mentioned earlier, James, George and Oliver were born to me, Cazy and Lindy within 13 days of each other. Today is Olly's birthday and we celebrated this and the other two boys turning 14 as part of other celebrations at Paul and Geeta's tonight. Olly is a gorgeous boy - a great musician and sportsman, and a special younger sibling for Hugh and Charlie. Happy Birthday Olly!
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| Announcing the triplets, Brisbane 2002 |
I was wearing these earrings the night of Dad's 60th when he announced to the gathered crowd that he was about to become a grandfather again, not once, not twice but three times over. You can see from his face in the photo how much fun he had with his speech. It was hilarious! Despite what many people thought (!), no planning had gone in to us attempting to be pregnant at the time - indeed for awhile Cazy was convinced that she had food poisoning from a trip to South America, not morning sickness; however the iced coffee milk she was craving at the time was a bit of a sign something else was up!
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| Pregnant sisters at 7 months. |
It was a wonderful experience as a first time mum to have a ready made mother's club, supported as well by our oldest sister Ree, well versed in all the trials and tribulations of motherhood with her own four kids by then. Joyfully, it also meant I had no need to engage with the pretentious women I met at my allocated Paddington mother's group who spent their time comparing the expensive brand of baby clothes their little ones were spewing all over.
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| Doing the Nanny juggle |
Darling Mum wasn't sure in which direction to run during those busy first months: our labours happened out of the planned sequence, and then Cazy and my lack of skill as first time mums had to be weighed against Lindy's burden of having her hands full now with three busy boys. Somehow Mum managed to give us all equal time and provided freezers full of nourishing food and delicious treats.
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| Mums and Bubs, May 2003 |
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| Three Amigo's P&G's wedding 2008 |
The boys have very different personalities with distinct interests and skills, but they have a bond with each other which is very special.
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| Three Amigos at Dad and Margie's wedding, Nov 2016 |
Aside from the birthdays, tonight we also celebrated at Paul and Geeta's housewarming, and belatedly, Geeta receiving her Australian citizenship. It was lovely having Dad and Margie with us before they return to Armidale tomorrow, and for our good family friend, Aloyisious, to join the celebrations before he leaves Sydney to take up an international role for the Jesuit Refugee Service in Rome. Geeta made the most delicious curries, and Gracie's chocolate fudge dessert matched with Robbie's passionfruit ice cream was a treat.
As a gift to mark her citizenship we gave Geeta a pair of
Pip's beautiful earring creations, a design based on the Australian native stingless bee which Pip told me make the most incredible spiral honeycomb, and so indeed it does. They suited Geets beautifully. We're so happy she's chosen to make Australia home.
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| Geeta w. citizenship earrings |
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| Completed Kukenhof! |
Day 54 is a momentous one: I finished the puzzle! Angus helped me put in the last few pieces and it gave me such a sense of accomplishment to see it completed - my first ever 1000 piece jigsaw. It's been such a helpful distraction over the past few weeks that I admit to feeling a bit panicky about not having another one to start straight away. As I've already said, its also been a real metaphor for my treatment. Feeling so stuck in the doldrums last weekend, a week on I feel much brighter and as if I'm pushing through and making progress. Aside from some tingling and burning sensations in in my fingers and toes - which will be monitored carefully, especially during the next drug regime - I'm feeling good today. Being surrounded by family made me feel very loved and protected. On on!
My wedding jeweller, Sarina, gave me these earrings as a gift after she finished making my wedding jewellery - she made them from some remaining crystals from the shoulder straps she made for dress. I love them because they remind me of one of the pairs of earrings that first got me started on this obsession - my maternal Nanna Clare's 1950s era single crystal earrings on a chain. Nanna lived in Armidale too and we spent lots of time with her as kids. Arriving at her house, I'd head straight for her jewellery draws and spend hours playing with her earrings, almost all made of sparkly rhinestone. My Aunty Suzie who was still living at home at the time, reminded me of this only last week. Nanna had a great selection - all screw or clip-ons because she didn't have her ears pierced - which was perfect for a 8 year old who wasn't allowed to have hers pierced until she reached age 12.
As a gift to mark her citizenship we gave Geeta a pair of Pip's beautiful earring creations, a design based on the Australian native stingless bee which Pip told me make the most incredible spiral honeycomb, and so indeed it does. They suited Geets beautifully. We're so happy she's chosen to make Australia home.
Day 54 is a momentous one: I finished the puzzle! Angus helped me put in the last few pieces and it gave me such a sense of accomplishment to see it completed - my first ever 1000 piece jigsaw. It's been such a helpful distraction over the past few weeks that I admit to feeling a bit panicky about not having another one to start straight away. As I've already said, its also been a real metaphor for my treatment. Feeling so stuck in the doldrums last weekend, a week on I feel much brighter and as if I'm pushing through and making progress. Aside from some tingling and burning sensations in in my fingers and toes - which will be monitored carefully, especially during the next drug regime - I'm feeling good today. Being surrounded by family made me feel very loved and protected. On on!
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