Friday, June 24, 2011

MORE COLD WEATHER AND A SAD LOSS

18th to 24th June 2011

This has been a week of many storms, dark clouds have not only filled our skies here bringing rain, blizzard like winds, sleet and flakes of soft white snow but our lives have also been touched by clouds bringing much sadness. 

Jarrett could not compete in the ACT Cross Country Championships because of his croup, my goal had been to compete at them also but was unable to due to my stress fracture and Nalani's rehabilitation was not quite at the level to be able to race either.  Instead Jarrett and I were spectators and Nalani assisted as a recorder at the event.  Next year we are all hoping to be able to compete together and show everyone just what we are all capable of.

Sunday Mum, Nalani and I were all been treated to a special pamper day which Camp Quality had invited us to.  We had an early start at the Diamant Hotel where we were told we were going on a little mystery trip to do something special.  We piled into the Camp Quality Van with other excited Mums and daughters, our mystery surprise was that we were having a jewellery making session at The Bead Barn at Federation Square.  We made a necklace and earrings, we got to choose which beads we wanted to use, I chose red and black and used gold string and clasps, the lady running the class said my choice was very regal.  We had a splendiferous time although I held everyone up as I was a little slow with my fine motor skills but no one seemed to mind.  After we finished our jewellery making we were taken back to The Diamant Hotel for lunch, it was a Spanish Tappers meal, where you get several dishes to sample, when the food arrived it looked liked something out of Master Chef, some of the dishes I found a little too spicy for me however I especially loved the dessert which was a stick made of doughnut and coated liberally with cinnamon sugar and you could dip it in chocolate, it was absolutely scrumptious.  After a creamy hot chocolate we were then taken away for our special pamper, Nalani and I had our makeup done, I don't wear makeup but it was fun having it done, I felt like a model and so did Nalani and she looked really gorgeous.  Then Nalani got to have her hair done, she had some loose curls done and they looked really pretty.  Unfortunately, I could not have my hair done because I have virtually no hair.  I am so lucky to have all my beautiful wigs so that I can have whatever hairstyle, colour or length I wish to have.  Mum was treated to a facial and she glowed after having it, she told us that she had not had one done in over twenty years.  The Diamant Hotel is a heritage listed building and it is unbelievably majestic.  The whole day felt like a fairytale and we felt so fortunate to be given the opportunity to be part of it. 


We had nearly not gone though because just before we were about to leave to go we received the unexpected and shocking news that my Grandad, who is my Dad's father had passed away.  It was so sad, and left us all quite numb.  He passed away on 19th June, the next day would have been his Birthday.  One comfort for us all was that he did not suffer, he just went to bed on the Saturday night and did not wake up on Sunday morning.


This is a special verse I found that I think is so lovely and I dedicate it to my Grandad.


'We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone;
for part of us went with you the day God called you home.
You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide,
and though we cannot see you, you are always by our side.
Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same,
but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.'


Dad has spent the week in Brisbane, we were not able to go but our hearts will always hold Grandad close.


At school we are winding down, as next week is our last week of Term 2, in Science we were looking at pulley's and how the more pulley's you add then the less effort you have to use so even someone like my teacher would be able to remove a car engine if there were heaps of pulleys with little effort.  In English we are now doing work on Macbeth and we looked at the Banquet Scene when Macbeth saw the ghost of Banquo.  In Maths we are just doing revision work with numbers, fractions and ratio's.


Nalani had the rest of her Year 12 exams this week and after doing an AST practise today she has now finished school for this Term, lucky her, she has four weeks holidays.  Jarrett is actually also doing Macbeth so we have been able to share ideas and thoughts about it. 


The cold weather has brought many illnesses to Canberra and on returning to school, I have now picked up another infection, I have a terrible middle ear infection, it is extremely painful and whenever I swallow my ears pop and throb.  I am again on antibiotics to try to clear it up, I think the holidays will give my body the chance to try to recuperate and hopefully I won't be as ill next Term. The weather is supposed to improve over the weekend, with frost overnight but beautiful crystal clear days with pleasant temperatures. 


I had physiotherapy today and every time I see Rhiannon I am so grateful to have such a talented and wise physiotherapist looking after my welfare.  My heel is slowly mending but I am still unable to put full weight on it with stabbing pain, it is only five weeks on Sunday since I injured it though so I must remain patient and it will mend.  Today I had a tight achilles and calf which felt so wonderful when they were released then I did some upper body work with weights to help continue strengthening my upper body, when I do any exercises I notice that my right side is weaker than my left, this will remain with me always but I can make it as strong as it can possibly be by doing the exercises that Rhiannon gives me, I do them everyday.  So many people are often given tasks to do like physiotherapy exercises but have a million and one excuses not to do them, yet the only way to help yourself is to make yourself do them because it will pay off in the long run.


I had a dreadful week in footy tipping, I only got two right, Nana got five and she is now only four points behind me, I must admit I am a little concerned now, Nana said her good fortune came because her Birthday was on 21st June, then Pop requested extra points because his Birthday is not during football season but both Nana and I firmly told him NO!  I  do hope that I do a little better this week, I am very disappointed that Benji has a knee injury and I am hoping that the Tigers can find inner strength to beat the Bulldogs.


Earlier in the Blog I mentioned our fairytale day at The Diamant Hotel, late yesterday afternoon there was a destructive raging fire there, no one was injured in the blaze which was so lucky, there were five fire pumpers, a Bronto Skylift hydraulic platform and a specialist breathing apparatus unit brought in to fight the massive fire.  Smoke billowed over the city as one of the two buildings which make up the complex burned and many key roads were blocked.  Today they are saying that 85% of the Hotel was damaged, they are hoping to rebuild it in the future and they are investigating how it happened.


So as you can see this week has been quite a devastating one, filled with storms, however in the back of my mind I always keep remembering that after a storm there is always a rainbow, so hopefully next week will see a huge rainbow to take away the pain. 




8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Dainere,
I'm so sorry to hear about your Granddad. It must have been a terrible shock. It sounds like you have had one of those weeks when it you just want to hop into bed and stay there until things get better. But as usual,you not just soldier on, but inspire others to do the same.
Its so lovely to see the blue sky today and if you find the right spot you can feel its gentle warmth as well. Ollie the cat has a perfect position behind a curtain - trust cats to find the warm spots.
My thought and prayers are with you and your family.
Bring on those rainbows!!!
Love
Catherine and Ollie

Anonymous said...

Dear Friend Dainere, Meryl and I are so sorry to hear of your news about Grandad, , i think it feels even worse in the winter with the trees not covered and cold icy winds , meryl and I are thinking of you all.

Well Dainere next year is only 6 months away so you will need to prepare yourself for training so as to compete with Jarrett and Nalani .

OH what a fantastic organisation camp quaility is , what a lovely day you had starting at the Diamant Hotel ,then to the bead barn and then back to the Diamant Hotel , what a splendiferous day you all had , we are so happy for you to have had that day .

What a lovely time you and Nalani would have had , being pampered , and also MUM , so glad you were looked after .

The verse you found is so nice
Dainere , its lovely words are nice to read over and over again .

Wow , your house is again a studious house , well at least you have the school hols to look forward to Dainere , Nalani I guess has a lot of revision to do in prep for exams

The antibiotics will help Dainere , i have quite a lot of trouble with my right ear for reasons you know about .

Yes I agree people must take notice of what the physios say , or else you are wasting the time of the physio, who could treat someone else. , you would be one of Rhiannons model patients .

Yes wasnt it so sad about the hotel , what a shame , , I believe yes they are going to rebuild .

Well my dear , thats about it from us , so stay warm , and remember we are over the shortest day of the year now , so it can only get better .

Lots of Love from Stuart and Meryl xxxxxxxxx

Anonymous said...

Hello

My deepest sympathy to your family on the sudden passing of your Grandad. May the happy memories you have bring comfort and peace to you all.

I know you will all compete next year together - you have the drive!! It's awful having an ear infection, I pray always that you can get through the week without any extra illnesss however winter germs are a pain. Rug up, hot chocolates, warm sox, all those things durinf the holidays should help.

I'm coming 2nd in my footy tipping on 78 points, depends on tomorrow night though. I've tipped the Eagles although my husband and son are crazy Dragons fans. Fingers crossed. If I win the $100 at the end, you know I'll send it to Tara for you. I'm also collecting 5, 10 and 20 cent pieces in a cup. You're right, plenty of 5c and 10c pieces lying around, I even found money on the footy oval yesterday, immediately thought of you and the cup I have! Hopefully it adds up to a significant amount by Xmas time to send a chq to Tara.

All the best wishes for a good week, remember holidays are near.
Love Fran xoxo

Dianne said...

Dear Dainere,

I am sorry to read about your grandad passing away, it is a sudden shock for you all; talk about him, put up a photo and keep his memories dear to your hearts.

It was good to see you today at the track, a sunny morning bright like your smiling face.

It is such a shame the Diamant Hotel has been burnt, I do hope the owners will restore it. It is also a site of significance to the local indigenous population, a place where decisions on Mabo legislation were written. You have some of your own special memories about the building.

I hope Jarrett is doing better after his croup; Lachie is coughing and wheezing from his cold they are a good pair aren't they? Gonna have to get the cotton wool out and wrap them up till August for the nationals.

Have a good week at school winding down to 3 weeks holidays - a time to recoup.

Love Dianne xxxx

Adrienne Campbell said...

Dear Dainere

I am not even sure how I fell upon your wonderful blog, But I'm glad I did. I just want to say, as an aspiring writer, I am more than impressed with your amazing blog and your incredible gift. You are a writer! I only hope one day I can say that... and at 44 years of age, I am certainly trailing behind you!

Take care of yourself, and congratulations on your blog.

Adrienne x

Ali Davies said...

Dainere,
So sorry to hear about the news of your grandad.

Sounds like not a terrific week your side of the world.

Sending you a little Irish rainbow to cheer you up as you have sent me so many rainbow's that never fail to left my spirits.

Keep on Keeping on Special girl

Ali x

Anonymous said...

Dear Dainere

So sorry to hear the sad news about your grandad passing - my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

The verse you dedicated to you grandad was lovely.

It is good that the holidays will be here soon - it will be a good chance for you to have a rest.

Hope that you are able to keep warm on these chilly mornings. It has been nice to have a few sunny days.

Hope that both you and Jarrett are feeling better now.

Thinking of you all.

Love
Steph D and family xxxx

Anonymous said...

Hi Dainere, can you please advise if your beautiful rainbow image is Copyrighted?
thankyou
Claire