Final Countdown

This is the last week that Garry will be working, after which life will change quite dramatically around here. We have had some initial discussions about our role changes, but many things will have to worked out as we go along. I am slowly gearing up for more intense study routines, while Garry is starting to think about his role as house-husband and full time carer.

No doubt there will be some teething problems as we clarify our new roles. It will certainly take some getting used to on all our parts! However, we are both really keen to give this a try, and are aware that it will take good communication on both our parts. So bring it on!

This drawing by Catherine is her goodbye to Pepper (the male mouse). She wrote, "Pepper is eating his dinner and I think he was a good mouse."

Catherine's Mice

"The Adventures of Pepper and Salt"

Thanks to generous aunts and uncles, Catherine is now the proud owner of two mice. A black male was named Pepper, while the white female was named Salt. She has proven to be a responsible pet owner so far, for a 7-year-old. The mice, however, have created interesting times in the household.

Hermione, the cat, thinks the mice are her personal entertainment unit. Pepper, the bolder of the two, has proven to be a rodent Houdini, making various escape attempts. At one point I was horrified to spot him in Hermione's mouth! Family uproar resulted in a trip to the pet shop this morning to swap Pepper for a black and white female - also called Pepper.

While there were some tears, both Christopher and Catherine are now thrilled with the new addition to the family. Now it's just fingers crossed in the hope that Salt is pregnant and will present us with some babies.....

Garry's Peace Walk

This month, Garry organised a Peace Walk in response to the joint military exercises taking place between Australia and America. You can read more about the Peace Walk on the Peace Partners website: http://www.peacepartners.net 


Garry setting off on the Peace Walk. 

Beginning Nursing Study

In a few short weeks I will be returning to Uni, for the first time since 1991. Such a lot has happened in the years since I was a student, and it is rather scary to be returning to that world. I never expected to be drawn to Nursing as a profession, and yet here I am. Working as a volunteer in an organisation that cares for people with terminal illness has contributed to my desire to do this. Being the mother of someone with a severe disability is another factor.

There are also other elements that have played their part in my journey to this point. The history of women in healing roles is fascinating. There are very strong traditions of Wise Women who have incredible knowledge of healing - often blending spirituality with their herbology and folk medicine. I have been interested in various aspects of herbal medicine for many years, and have lately enjoyed trying out aromatherapy massage.


Hildegard of Bingen

A woman who intrigues me in this regard is Hildegard of Bingen. I would love to learn more about her and the way she integrated spirituality and science, as well as art and music. I was delighted to see her name mentioned in the first chapter of my Pharmacology textbook.

Catherine in school uniform. 

Christopher's 9th Birthday.