Day 88: Scottish Beaded Drops

Loch Long

With the Morrison-Docherty's in Nimes, 2008

Loch Long Angus hugs

Five years ago yesterday - according to 'FB memories' - Rob headed off to Scotland to celebrate the 50th birthday of our friend Alistair - who is weaved into the golden web via Pauline and John. Alistair, and his wonderful wife Laura and son 'big' Angus live in Glasgow, and also have a stunning house on Loch Long, where we've spent some happy days, and where Alistair celebrated his birthday. Alistair is an ardent anti-Scottish nationalist - worried that given independence Scotland will in his words turn into a 'tartan and shortbread freakshow'! It's has made for some very interesting conversations in recent years. Rob returned home with some great tales from the party, and these lovely beaded earrings for me. I particularly like the soft-muted tone colour combination, which matched my mood today.

Birthday celebrations with Billy M

I'm also enjoying another combination of colours today, which arrived in the form of a stunning bouquet of flowers. The pinks and purples against the blue gum leaf looks so delicate, soft and pretty. I couldn't help but feel brighter once they arrived. The flowers came from the Maguire's - close family friends from Armidale days. Dad Peter was an obstetrician who delivered three of my siblings and Mum Elizabeth is a warm and highly intelligent woman who I always love talking politics with. Dear son Bill grew up with Ree and her gang and is a boxing day 'twin' of mine. An incredibly empathic person, Bill has sent me constant messages of support throughout this ordeal. Darling daughter Lucy we count as our fourth sister. Lucy and Lindy were inseparable growing up, and that's hardly changed over the years. Lucy and her lovely husband Sean and daughter Kate are constants in our lives - we all love them dearly.

Lu and Lindy at Paulie and Geets KL wedding

Wedding bells 1999

All these thoughts of Lucy and muted tones led me to pull out Lindy's wedding photos, with Cazy, Lucy and me as bridesmaids and Jodie and Sammi Crogan as flowergirls in our pretty pink silk dresses - in the breeze we look like we're about to take flight.

And speaking of flight - that's exactly what my boys did today. Knowing we were Sydney centred for the holidays, I bought them a 'flight' at the indoor flying centre. I'm not sure it matched Rob's experience of doing the real thing and skydiving out of planes, as he did back in the day, but they all came home excited and, thankfully, still in one piece!

Day 88: "Wobble wobble two fat ladies" goes to the bingo call. I'm feeling like that too - puffed, swollen and uncomfortable.  As with last time, this docetaxel is really taking its toll. Sore head, nails and bones... running eyes and nose... dry sandy mouth...fatigue...no words. I was fortunate to get across for my massage this morning which helps with some of the tightness and the sore lymph nodes. I know these are the toughest days and I just have to keep crawling through them. Every day down is a victory. I'm lucky to get through them surrounded by such love and support, and pretty colours.