Sleep tight Mr Sheep xx

I have a space inside my heart
that marks the day we had to part
The day I lost my dearest friend
My loyal companion to the end

I am a mother, I am a wife,
yet something is missing from my life -
I have a job to fill my days
an ideal life in many ways...

Yet in the garden, or by my chair
I look for you - though you're not there.
There is a void I cannot fill
I think of you often, and miss you still...

The ever expanding family...

Just thought that I would share the news that I am going to be a great aunt again! Some people are just gluttons for punishment ;0) I'm not sure what a 17 month old Ethan will make of a new brother or sister but I'm sure it will be an interesting time!

Anyway, big congrats to my niece and her husband!

Get well soon lovely Ethan...

I've just returned from a visit to the north shore - and I'd forgotten how fantastic it was to be there. It was also a pleasant suprise to find that they were hosting the 2008 Jazz and Blues festival while we were there - it was a fantastic atmosphere. But, at least I had something to look forward to on my return - my great nephew's christeneing!

He is such a little star - and even though he wasn't very impressed when the water went over his head, he was so good throughout the whole thing (which is no mean feat for a 10 month old) but he is such a pleasant little chap... He had a lovely time being the centre of attention for the day, but unfortunately it didn't end on the high note it started on. By early evening, he was very unwell, and after a very unpleasant night for him, he ended up in hospital.

The poor little man spent two days on a drip and has had to have all sorts of tests - it's been a worrying time for the family. But, he is well on the mend and was able to come home yesterday, just in time for his Mum's birthday - that has to have been the best present she's ever had!

So, all is now somewhat calmer again (well, as calm as it ever gets) and this weekend we can all relax and get over the trauma! Hopefully, I'll get chance to sort my photos and I might even make a new slide show...

I found this photo that I took of my beautiful hibiscus last summer and it made me smile! Not long to go until it is time for it to bloom again.

And there are now three solar lamps lit in the garden...

Busy, busy, busy....

Just trying my best to fit in all the things that have to happen before Christmas - and trying not to worry about the things that don't! It's amazing how much pressure we put on ourselves in trying to create the perfect Christmas...

Anyway, just wanted to take the time to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2008. See you all next year!

Cold Feet!

There can be no more denying it - winter is definitely here. The gloves, scarf and hat have made a re-apperance and my feet are constantly cold! But the sun is shining today so the cold doesn't seem to matter so much...

I went for a progress report at the hospital this week, and good news - my blood count appears to be stabilising. I can finally reduce my steroids again and have been given a six week reprieve, which is a great early Xmas present.

So all I need to do now is warm my feet up somehow... I was fortunate enough to take a holiday at the end of October (my attempt to keep the onset of SAD symptoms at bay for as long as possible). So I have some lovely memories to help to keep me warm - and loads of photos to remind me what a great time I had. This is one of my favourites so I thought I would share it with you - but I bet you can't work out where it is!

Onwards and upwards!

Went back to the hospital for a recount yesterday and was relieved to find that my treatment is working. My count is now at 116 (which is about 30% of where it should be) but it's high enough to be generally safe - and a vast improvement on the 11 that it was at last week. So I get to avoid the transfusions - yay!! :)

The only down side is that I am looking at long term steroids - and the side effects are starting to really kick in now - but I can start to reduce the dose from today so they shouldn't get any worse.

My parents have been in a bit of a panic for the last week (it doesn't matter how old you are does it?) and my Mum wanted to come with me yesterday "just in case". I had to point out to her that she hadn't been to a doctors appointment with me for well over 20 years and I didn't think that she really needed to start again now. I thought that I had done a good job of convincing myself that "of course there would be an improvement", but my relief when I saw the results was immense. It's funny how after the event it is easier to admit that I was actually, for the first time in a long time, felling pretty scared about the whole thing.

I think that the hardest bit has been my concern over how my daughter has taken it all. She has always known that there was something ticking along in the background - but this is the first time that I've had a relapse and she's been old enough to understand what's been going on - it must have been quite a shock for her. She is a such a star, and has a wonderful way of lifting my spirits.

Thanks to everyone for the messages of support and offers of help and assistance - they were all very much appreciated. What a lovely bunch of folks you all are!!!