My Unplanned Sabbatical

Portsea day 2

Magic day weather wise. A very cold night made way to a beautiful cloudless day. The school holiday program was in full swing as Petra and I did our best to keep all entertained. We all had fun.

I woke up real slow and pretty flat but started to turn for the better around 11 am and have been pretty good since then.

We have walked, eaten, gone to the movies, gone to the beach, had children’s concerts, night disco’s, pillow fights, trampoline basket ball, skyped italy, discussed Italian land tax and Monti’s virtues compared to Berlusconi’s. A very full day. Nothing like sunshine and children laughing to snap you into line!

Tomorrow promises another full day.

I have attached more than the usual number of photos.

Portsea

Another really flat day today. Cant seem to shake this feeling. I am trying hard though. As its school holidays we have a friend staying over as well as our italian visitor. Quite a full house.

Mid morning we loaded up the cars and drove to Portsea for a couple of days. We stopped for a quick lunch and visited a chocolate shop. Girls loved it.

It’s freezing at the beach!!

The girls played board games and chilled. I have spent most of the afternoon sleeping. One of those days I guess.

We will stay in and will watch the football tonight. The fire is roaring so it should be nice to try and relax.

Just a day

Just an ok day. Woke up slow. Improved throughout the day. Nothing much to add. Our Italian visitor is settling in.

Italian House Guest

Our house guest arrived this morning and the day was spent helping Alessia settle in. The girls are all excited to have a 21 year old woman in the home.

Not much to report on. Early dinner at St Katherines and I have put myself to bed. Really tired. The rest are not far behind. The girls are all going shopping tomorrow in the city and I will have the house to myself (and the dog). Bliss.

Tuesday

Another slothful day today with the family. The girls had their nails done which was a little treat and we all went out tonight for an early dinner at a friends home which was excellent.

Tomorrow we have a visitor arrive from
Italy to stay with us for 3 weeks which will be interesting and fun. She will be able to teach the girls some more Italian.

Not much else to report. Slight improvement on yesterday.

The Beyond Blue Foundation called today to discuss my second questionnaire and gain some feedback on the support I have been receiving. That was an interesting conversation as the support through the hospital has been minimal. Lucky I have had no desire to jump off my desk!!

Only 9 days to go, who’s counting!

Nonna

It has been really cold and wet in Melbourne which is ok for winter but not great for school holiday activities. Must be the carbon tax.

Lucky there has been some great sport on TV to pass the time. We have been spending our days reading, listening to
music, the odd movie and cooking. Well I have not been partaken in the last activity.

I picked up my mum for a visit and she is always great value for a story or seven (mostly repeats) and of course cooking.

Today Nonna was holding court as she led the girls through cooking sauce and making nochi. I have hovered around the edges listening to the stories and listening to the girls laughing. Perfect.

We all get to enjoy the feast tonight.

I am feeling stronger.

A slow day

Nothing much to say about today. Family all slept in as no kid sport this weekend. Girls shopped and I did the odd thing around the house. Had the Pelusi children over for a play.

Had a nana nap in the afternoon and nothing planned tonight. Cold, dark and wet outside. Maybe a nice red by the fire or maybe not.

Siena has a fancy dress party and she had decided to go as a boy, Hansel and her friend as Grettle.

MCG

Another very quiet day today. I was feeling pretty fatigued and needed to spend the afternoon in bed. I slept most of the afternoon as I was conscious of being able to last tonight’s game at the MCG.

Early family dinner with in laws and then to the game. Sneza had got to the MCG early and secured excellent seats at her peril, fighting of the hoards of fans! Well that was her story.

The Hawks won well and the game was a little flat. It was a good night though. The Duchini and Pelusi kids managed to secure a few player autographs and are enjoying the football experience.

Lily and Clara stalking footballers.

The Parent Helper

A better day today.

I was a parent helper in Lily’s cooking class. It was organized chaos. I am hopeless in the kitchen but luckily the kids are very forgiving. Petra was a parent helper as well although she absolutely nailed it!

I did enjoy the experience and Lily was very happy. I supervised the making of Salsa and Pita chips! Very technical. Thank god I did not get the eggplant lasagna.

Did a bit of work for a while and then in the afternoon my friend and personal trainer came over to train me. I was a bit nervous as it was my first real session since I was diagnosed last December. It was a good session and I was pleased. Laura was very forgiving. I have a long way to go. Pretty sore legs already and I have put myself to bed early to recover. I think I will be hobbling around tomorrow.

My goal is to slowly rebuild my fitness and strength as I approach the end of my intensive treatment.

Very happy with the day. Girls are on school holidays now which will be fun.

Just stuff

I had planned on going into work today but that did not pan out. I did not feel great and there was a little bit of illness in the office, which is normal this time of year but with my immunity lower than normal I did not chance it.

I had a lazy day at home with the dog. Had her groomed and walked her. I worked in the afternoon on a matter which I enjoyed and then did a bit of light exercise.

I set up a Sonos distributed audio system in the home in the morning and I had a play in each of the rooms. The girls each have the ability to access unlimited music in their bedrooms as well. Tonight’s been fun as each bedroom is pumping with different music, maybe not such a good idea!

Lucky I can shut it all down from my iPhone.

I have promised Lily I am going into school with her tomorrow to help in the class cooking! That will be just a bit crazy. I hope I am up to it. Just dawned on me there may be sick kids there. Hmmmm, may need a plan B.

School holidays start on Friday. Fun and games will begin.