Day 119: Silver hoops

Everyone needs some simple hoops in their collection. I know friends who have lots of these, and always look fabulous wearing them - Suzie, Pauline and Lisa are cases in point. Mine today are an old pair that haven't had a outing for a very long time because until recently one lonesome earring was sitting at the bottom of the jewellery box missing its companion. It would have been a victim of the next cull until the other week our cleaner Chris, who actually moves the furniture around to vacuum(!), found the missing earring under my bedside drawers: Gratitude! I'm wondering now whether this is a lesson never to throw a single earring away? (see Day 2).

These earrings bought me happy memories today. I wore these earrings the night of my PhD party back in October 1998. I was so relieved to have finished that dissertation, and following Mum's advice to celebrate every milestone, I organised a party at the 'O' Bar in Surry Hills. It was great fun, with lots of dancing and some fun speeches, from Paul, Mum and Pete Crogan (we were all heckled, if I remember rightly, by one of my drunk colleagues, an internationally famous political philosopher!). Many of my friends and relatives mentioned in this blog were there. Dad is the usual speechmaker in our family, but this time I asked Mum to say a few words; she made a great speech except for her highlighting the fact that I've had very chubby arms since I was born...she was right of course but it's something I've tried to hide throughout my life. This photo captures the moment before the mortification!

On day 119 (I almost typed 199 - it feels like it!) I've still been feeling wiped out. Tiredness, some residual stabbing pains and my mouth are the worst of it. I spent the morning in bed watching the Insiders and doing some work. Molly took particular interest in Nat's thesis - she wouldn't leave my side and even took to laying on the keyboard. She's such a funny dog!

I managed to join Rob and Angus for a walk around the park this morning in the gorgeous sunshine. I've been watching Rob cook, clean, shop, run the boys around without being able to do much to help...I'm so incredibly grateful. He's heading to Armidale on Tuesday to celebrate his Aunty Beryl's 90th birthday; fortunately Lindy's coming to help me out.

Having an afternoon rest meant I missed a visit from darling Vicky and David. They bought Rob a tea cup commemorating the opening of Parliament House in 1927 - Fabulous! This evening I had a belated skype with Fiona and Georgie in Edinburgh - we've managed to get frequent flyer tickets to get over to see them next Easter. Hooray! I'm making progress with the new puzzle. It's gorgeous.