Day 55: Suzie and Pete's Dubai silver mirrors

Suzie and Pete with the amazing Enid Crogan

Suzie and Pete Crogan are two very important people in the golden web. Suzie is not only my Aunt, my Mum's third and youngest sister, but she and her wonderful husband Pete are my very close friends too. In my teenage years they were my 'alternate' parents, the ones on whose door I would knock when I needed to express my teenage angst. They were always so welcoming, understanding and non-judgemental. I babysat their three gorgeous children - Ben, Samantha and Jodie - taking care of the girls from the time they were born, and they kept me in employment during my undergrad degree- keeping customer records in a very early computer in the backroom at Suzie's hairdressing salon in Armidale.

I'm wearing these earrings today because it's their wedding anniversary - their 40th! I still remember that day so clearly and for some reason have always locked this date in my head. I think it was because at 10, I was so completely blown away by the beautiful bride and groom. Suzie, always so stylish then and now, pulled off wearing a turban with her veil as only she could, and Pete's jacket and frill-fronted shirt are a knockout! So 1977!



Through Pete I know Pauline; through Suzie I met Natalie. And, it's just dawned on me these earrings link these four wonderful and important people in my life. Suzie and Pete gave them to me when they joined us at Pauline's for Christmas in 2008. They had bought them in Dubai where they lived for a number of years, and it was there they met Nat, and took her under their protective wing, as they had done for me as a teenager. Suzie hooked up Nat and I when she realised we both had an interest in gender discrimination.

At Ree's birthday, 1984

Suzie and me, 2016.

Rob and I have had so many fun times with Suzie and Peter, including at this fancy hat party for Ree's birthday, back in 1984. They both seem ageless to me, keeping fit and active and living busy lives, doing everything with flair and great taste. Pete's also been good for my health, convincing me to give up smoking (in September 1986, but who's counting!) by committing to buy me a bottle of Penfold's wine at the end of every month I was off the cigarettes until I reached the pinnacle - a bottle of Grange. I rose to the challenge, and have never smoked again, but I have developed a fancy for good red wine!

I love these two and still feel very protected by them. Happy Anniversary!

Day 55 has been very relaxed. The highlight has been a visit from dearest friends Vicky and David who bought me a photobook made up of photos of our times together -  including travelling to Portugal and Bali, and shots of the boys I've never seen before. It is such a thoughtful and precious gift. It was lovely catching up with them, our first chance to check in with David since his Dad died, and for us to express our sympathy in person.

This afternoon I did some work while the boys did their thing, then a lovely evening walk with Robbie and Molly. The tingling in my fingers and toes is picking up pace, something I need to have checked out this week. Otherwise I'm feeling well after a really enjoyable, well paced weekend.