Day 58: Deb's Spots & Dot's

Like me, Deb (Day 8) is an earring collector. She has so many gorgeous pairs, and we've enjoyed trawling earring shops when we've travelled together. Deb told me about her favourite earring shop in Flinders Lane, Melbourne - eg etal -  a few years ago, and I have visited there, and admired the divine pieces, but never made a purchase. So, it was with great delight I received from Deb and Mel a fabulous pair of earrings from that shop a couple of weeks ago - gold dots on cream spots, on a long gold hook made by a design duo called Peaches and Keen. Having their first outing today, these earrings are so light and wonderful to wear. (The designers sound like they are gutsy grrrls, taking on Target for ripping off their intellectual property a year ago).

With these earrings on, and thinking about all the good things that are linked to my relationship with Deb, I realised that there were some important people in the golden web spun from Sydney University that are yet to make an appearance on the blog: Joanne Kelly, Leanne Piggot and Carson - who with Deb and I make up the 'Houdini Sisters'. We hit on this name after we all went through various contortions to escape from the Government Department in the early 2000s at a time when the Department was going through a particularly bad patch, which included blatant hostility to women who showed any talent.

Jo is a public finance and public policy expert, and consultant to a range of governments, the World Bank, and the OECD. Leanne, has a background as an expert in Middle East politics, but in recent years has been involved in business education, where she is now doing exciting things at the Centre for Social Impact at UNSW. Carson is busy devising new forms of democratic practice no less, via the new Democracy Foundation, providing innovative solutions to address the demise of our existing representative system of government. It's just dawning on me that with this combination of skills, and Deb's social policy expertise, we could establish a Cabinet (or no doubt Carson can suggest a better mechanism) that is much more creative and effective than the numbskulls that are currently in office. Vote 1 Houdinis!

Deb, Carson and Jo drinking Houdini wine

We continue to stay connected, getting together for a number of meals throughout the year to catch up, support each other through tough times and celebrate our various achievements. At one recent meal at Leanne's we enjoyed a bottle of wine called 'Houdinis' that Deb discovered at a specialist wine shop. It was an edgy sav blanc which was very appropriate!

Carson officiating at Jo and Diego's wedding

Gorgeous Joanne

Last year we took part in the most wonderful celebration for Jo when she married her Spanish love, Diego, in a beautiful ceremony at Palm Beach - we all agreed it was one of the most heartfelt and happy weddings we'd ever been too. A special feature of the wedding was that Carson, who is a licensed wedding celebrant, did the honours.

Leanne, Deb, Carson and me with blushing bride, 2016

Although we don't get together too often, these four women are such important people in my life, and I feel so fortunate to know them all.

Ross with young Cal and Will,
our wedding, 2001

Back in the day after Cricket, 1984

Today is an important and sad day for the Ridley clan as it marks the second anniversary of the death of Rob's Dad, Ross. Ross was a great sports- and outdoorsman, with a quick wit and strong love of his family; he's greatly missed by everyone.

Rob and Molly Dog today, courtesy of Anna

In our house his spirit lives on in our precious Molly dog, who Angus christened as Molly Ross, after we got her shortly after he died. Ross was a great dog lover, and it seems to have carried through the generations, to Rob and to the boys who fight over having her to cuddle up to every night.

Anna, Deb and me with new earrings

Day 58 has been a busy one. A walk this morning with Rob, then a  visit from Maddie who has bought me another lovely pair of earrings and an inspired gift - a tunisian crotchet  set - which I can't wait to get into. After coming down with a crashing headache, I had to cancel lunch with Lizzie and opt for a sleep instead. Feeling brighter this afternoon, I was happy to see  Deb on her way back from the airport after two weeks in Bermagui, and her precious daughter Anna, who I hadn't seen for ages. Deb spoilt me again with the prettiest French shirt, with dots, that exactly match the earrings.

The tiredness really hit hard today, I guess I've been overly ambitious these past few days, so will shoot for a few quite days from here until the end of the week. Dr Kath called to check up on me. I'm surrounded by wonderful friends, family and carers. How lucky am I!