A New Year - New Hope

There is no denying our world is a different place as we face the challenges of the pandemic and more recently watching the unrest in the US with a new President on the horizon. It is all relative depending on where one lives and one's own personal circumstances and these past 5 months have certainly been some of the toughest for our family. I still have two lots of surgery to go but I am so thankful I don't need anymore chemotherapy. The oncologist does want me to keep the portacath in my chest as I might need some infusions over the next 3 years to fix the damage that the chemo may have done to my bones, but my fingers are tightly crossed I won't need that! But we have so much to be thankful for and especially the love and support shown to us. More cards and gifts have arrived from special people that truly lifts us both......thankyou to each and everyone of you. These magnificent Christmas flowers lasted for nearly 2 weeks from the team at ........Lloyd Curzon Fabrics

Thankyou to Rachelle for this beautiful orchid that is bringing so much joy - I just hope I don't kill it!.......

More beautiful cards including a hand stitched seat belt protector made by Michele (also spelled with one "L"!!), for my fragile chest all the way from Queensland.....

Michele even bought a virtual Pink seat in my name for Day 3 of the International Cricket Test! Day 3 is in honour of Jane McGrath who sadly died from breast cancer at a young age and was also the wife of former test cricketer Glen McGrath. The foundation now raises funds for breast care nurses.....not that I have had that privilege. Not sure if it is because I was a private patient but my support has been closer to home with one of our daughters. But what a great cause and thankyou so much Michele........

I received a special package from the Breast Cancer Network Australia and Berlei and that was very touching. I am still so very sore across my chest as the wound goes from under one armpit right across to the other with an inch gap in the middle! My surgeon informed me yesterday that this discomfort will last another 6 months! I read from one lady that the wounds feel like one is wearing an iron bra - it certainly feels like a very wide and rough rope strangling the chest 24/7 and when in the car one feels every bump in the road! But is nice to have a little padding to wear where one goes out.......

More overwhelming gifts from special friends including a pamper voucher and hidden under my little bear is a gift card to purchase books for the grandchildren.......such a great idea.....thankyou all.........

Speaking of the grandchildren I just had to share these images of little Wade. It was a video Sophie took but I can't work out how to get if from messenger to the blog so instead I screen shot him as he shared his predictions on love, life and 2021.....his words were....."It is a mis-story Mummy".......a mystery indeed and maybe better we don't know what is around the corner!!.....

I came across these words recently......a timely reminder to just live for today and relax and try not to worry about what lies ahead........ 

I adore this image that Emily took of Beau and Maisie.......I am told they don't always act like this!!...

We've enjoyed some strolls in the sunshine and I couldn't help noticing how in the first image one can see new apartments swallowing the grandeur of old......

And the "THE SAND IS THE NEW SNOW" slogan is certainly Christmas in Australia.......

And I received even more William Morris hand cream! I adore these gifts and love the products with the scents of bergamot and sandalwood.  As you can see I won't run out for quite a while!...........

And the bonus is the gorgeous tins and boxes that they come in that can be reused over and over! And if you are very careful the labels peel off too..........

Morris & Co. have teamed up with DockATot and created a range for babies and children. Very bohemian and I imagine very expensive and despite what William Morris might think about all of this it is nice to see his designs are alive and well........all the images are from that link.........

I also received an extra special Morris gift in the mail from Liz.........some gorgeous Morris fabric! Thankyou for your generosity Liz....now to decide what I will do with it as it is way too special to just cut up........

So with the New Year and New Hope comes the joy of my eyelashes returning and underneath the scarf the hair is just appearing! I must admit that after almost 5 months I am a bit sick of wearing this head gear especially on a hot day! The final images are from a few days ago when we had the older two stay for the afternoon and what a help they were......we even enjoyed Maisie's 'cooking' creations! May 2021 bring hope and joy to you and yours too.........