Day 92: Betty's Delft Blue Bulbs

Today I'm wearing a pair of pretty blue and white earrings that look like Delftware. They were a recent gift from my lovely mother-in -law Betty (Day 5), which she gave me on her recent fleeting visit through Sydney. I chose them today after enjoying our overdue phone conversation last night. Betty had just finished the Keukenhof Garden jigsaw that I'd passed on to her. I was relieved to know she found some of it challenging too. After this conversation and the fact I'm about to stop struggling with the jigsaw of one Dutch master, Vemeer, and start with another, van Gogh my earring choice seemed obvious.

I had a quiet start to my day with the boys away camping. Natalie (Day 12) came over around 9am to walk Molly with me. Molly adores Nat (I think the feeling is mutual!), she cries with excitement when Nat arrives and follows her around when she's here. They've bonded during the times Nat has generously come to stay when we've been away; its so sweet to see the connection, and how Molly has such an acute memory and affection for this kind person who has taken care of her.

Nat and I strolled to the park and sat in the gorgeous Anzac Day sunshine while Molly played with friends. We caught up on lots of issues including internecine AOC politics which I'm finding riveting and depressing (anything involving Mark Arbib and Graham Richardson and an array of other bullies has got to end badly), and which Nat knows lots about because of her Olympic and Judo affiliations. Of course we also discussed her PhD progress...in the final throes of the thesis, as Nat is, it never feels like the process will end, but I've promised her in a few months time it will seem like a blur, and she'll be free to get on with all the exciting opportunities that lay ahead. I'll be waiting at the finish line with a bottle of French champagne and some gluten free treats!

I got home just in time to bake a batch of non-GF Anzac biscuits - using Betty's recipe of course, which makes them crunchy and chewy at the same time - before Cazy and Gracie came to visit, bearing treats and some gorgeous Aveda products for me.  We had a nice morning tea before the boys rocked in smelling of that distinctive mix of camp fire and sausages! They're happy and tired after their trip away, their only complaint being that they couldn't stay longer.

After a busy morning I retired for an afternoon rest and a few more eps. of Girls which is a show that entertains and disturbs me in equal measure.

This afternoon, another gorgeous gift arrived on my doorstep - from my generous PhD student and Emily and colleague Paula. While they were together for Easter, they purchased for me a gorgeous pair of light pink quartz earrings - on display soon - and a perfectly matching light pink orchid, which should definitely last the distance with me. I am very touched.

I'm being so terribly spoilt, it's almost embarrassing...but I am incredibly grateful for all the gestures large and small which are helping to push me through the days.

Day 92 and while my mouth is still driving me crazy and the tiredness and aches continue, I definitely have more energy that the same time last cycle so the white blood cell booster must be doing its work. Working my way through the '90s...