Time to kill

Well, we are now waiting for our last flight here in Dubai. This airport seems to grow every time we come here. I must say though Dubai's arrival was extremely civilised....no transport buses today, (or was that yesterday?.... I am lost) and not to mention a bit disorientated.

This place is magnificent from the inside. I can only think what the size of the buildings are like from the outside. There (for those that have yet to grace these portal doors) are arrival sections, multiple floors, then there are lifts to take you to different floors, then there are trains to take you to different flight sections...A, B, C, D and so forth.

Incredible. Like I said, it does appear to have grown since last time, maybe it my lack of sleep in the past 24 hours that's done it for my imagination.

I am one step ahead of all my Downton Abbey friends.... I watched the last episode on our way to Singapore. Have the tissues ready Barb, there are some in the bathroom. One actor whom I have never really liked did a damn fine job in this episode, to the point where I nearly did my weepy bit and howled, but I maintained a brave face for the family and kept my tears in check!

Television will not be the same without this gracious family and their upstairs and downstairs crew. Might have to purchase all the series somewhere along the way and enjoy it all again in my spare time (joke joyce!!!).

Yesterday was a big day with our getting up before dawn to say goodbye to Barb, the dogs who knew something was going on) and the chooks who couldn't have cared less.

We made our way down to Melbourne without complication. I sat with Mum whilst Murray went elsewhere then had a meeting with siblings in tow at Mum's place of residence which is another story to tell somewhere down the line.

Before we knew it, we were off to the airport and just as well we left when we did as by the time you park then shuttle to the airport, check in and psych yourself up for the haul, it's time to board and you're up, up and away before you know it.

Sitting in cramped quarters for a number of hours makes one realise just how many aches and pains one has. Sciatica, sore knees, and general discomfort hang about quite pointedly as you wait for the flight to be over.

You can only watch so many movies and series without being too bored.

I fitted in one movie, I cannot recall the name of (can you believe) plus a BBC Horror series, plus another scary story which really wasn't very scary, but interesting all the same, called 'The Visit'.

As mentioned before, I fitted in Downton Abbey Series whatever, number 6 and listened to a lot of 70's Rock, tried to lull myself with a relaxation CD which didn't work and ate everything put in front of me so time-sitting hasn't been too wasted I suppose.

We now have this last flight ahead and I cannot wait to disembark so we can at least walk a bit.

A very generous woman gave me a pen to complete my departure sheet at Tullamarine as I stupidly for got to pack a basic essential such as a pen. I had hoped to return it but alas we didn't see her again so I will think of this woman every time I use her pen from now on.

When we arrived in this Emirates Transit Lounge, there were a number of middle-eastern men women and children, all dressed in white, including saris', shoes and mobile phones. The men all wore a textured white towelling type of material of similar consistency whereas the women and children had beautifully decorated costumes with embroidery in detail in places on their material.

So, dear readers, this is the end of Day 1 of J&M's big adventure to all things German and Greek.

One question though,....actually two....

How does one get an upgrade and how does one get to ride on those carts I see so many others riding in?

Me thinks it'd be fun almost running others over in an airport lounge to rid oneself of ones boredom.

Melbourne -> Singapore (where we had to get out, wait for an hour, then reboard the same plane) ->Dubai, then -> Düsseldorf.

As Julian Lennon says.....see you on the flip side!!!

Just a little extra to make our day even more exciting.

We've just gone through our final check in to be told we've been upgraded to Business Class for this last leg.

We might get a little sleep now before we land in Düsseldorf.......

So happy!!!

Will tell you all about it shortly. Right now we are waiting...imagining soft comfortable seats we can stretch out in....not to mention our fine dining (albeit breakfast) experience!

Bon chance!

Rabbits galore.....

And so tomorrow heralds yet another Easter. One of holidays and camping for some. Some stay home and celebrate in their own style, with chocolate and fruity buns, others mark this as a religious day and go to church as often as they can throughout the period to mark the significance of the season.

We are staying home as its not long before we fly over to the other side of the world and I am yet to pack seriously, as only good women pack.

By packing, I mean throw every item of weather appropriate clothing into the suitcase you own, then cull when you realise you'll never wear again that top you bought five years ago and are yet to wear, let alone when you are in Greece, trying to impress the locals!

Easter to me means a bit of madness and mayhem. Have already just been down the street to purchase life and death supplies as ALL the shops are shut tomorrow (Good Friday). 

I dare say I'll be back down there again to purchase more life and death supplies for our trip...like toothpaste, deodorant etc. on Sunday as I won't have time on Monday. I'll be too busy cleaning the house from top to bottom before our wonderful friend and house sitter arrives for the dogs and chooks to boss around.

I remember Easters past when our children were little and they would fill up on Easter eggs and hotty crossy buns.

Good Friday always meant boiled cod for dinner and I would make a white sauce (usually cheesy) to go with it. Music of the season would indicate me playing my Jesus Christ Superstar album over and over again much to the chagrin of my family.

"So you are the Christ, the great Jesus Christ, 

Prove to me that you're no fool....

Walk across my swimming pool"!

I so loved that album and now I realise I must have almost made my family think insanity would be far easier than having to put up with the smell of boiled fish and my version of Judas Iscariot indefinitely for a few days!

Easter is also a time of personal reflection for us now though as a family.

Today, this Thursday before Easter, heralds the anniversary of our son's death. The date is of course next month, but this day before Easter is significant in its timing also.

The positivity of this day always brings to mind the wonderful support and love we received from my friends and colleagues at Werribee Mercy Hospital on that day and afterwards, not to mention a group of young boys who dropped whatever they were doing that day to come and give us strength as we said our farewells to our boy and they said their goodbyes to their mate.

It is 13 years now since he left us, but all those memories make it feel like it was only yesterday.

The saying 'Love never dies' is certainly apt and true when it comes to such occasions.

May everyone who takes the time to read this have a safe and wonderful Easter. If you are out and about, please stay safe. Drive carefully. Remain responsible for not only yourself, but for those around you. If you are working, may you be well fortified with chocolate and not too busy for a change.

Once again I thank those that surrounded us during our time of shock and grief back in 2003. Work colleagues, family and friends were amazing and I will be forever grateful.

Today I am feeling the love so to speak. I have housework to do and food to cook.

My valiant promise though is that I will NOT cook boiled cod and stink the house out. I also will not hunt down my JC Superstar records....or will I?????

Once more with gusto

I'm not sure how this'll pan out as I'm currently working night shift in a local hospital and given it's nearly 3 am., I have been known to slur my words at times, so, reader beware.
I haven't written for a while, not since before Christmas in fact. Life on the land has become very busy of late, what with working and bike riding and gym and occasional visitors.
I suppose something has to give when sometimes you feel you're in the centre of a tornado and until now, blogging has been it.
As I said before, I am currently working those horrible hours in an environment where (touch wood), it is extremely "Q" (I won't say the word), and I am at a bit of a loss as to what to do next.
I suppose I should tackle some competencies and or read some more, or even make myself yet another cup of tea, but I thought, why not blog a bit for a change and see what comes out of my brain with a bit of free writing instead.
I have been working at this rural hospital now on and off since July of last year and really am finding I am enjoying the change not to mention the change of pace.
Please don't get me wrong reader. The days and evenings are usually very busy, and this place has the potential at any time of the day and night to suddenly pick up speed, depending on who presses the emergency door bell at all hours too so we are forever on tender-hooks here and have to be prepared for anything and anyone who might emerge requiring emergency care.
When I first started here, I was absolutely terrified of the door-bell going off.
My thoughts would run to my previous workplace and I would think, "I am a midwife, not an emergency nurse...what on earth am I doing here?"
Every time someone would present to the emergency department, I would be imagining any number of scenarios and had not iota of confidence in how to assess and or deal with what ailed the presenter.
There is still very much I do not know and I still have a lot to experience. People do present here with chest pain and cardiac irregularities and crush injuries after falling from tractors and snake bites but I have found my new colleagues here to be extremely supporting and willing to reteach me those skills I learned many years ago when I was a student nurse as well as teach me new skills for a lot has changed in the years I have worked elsewhere, in the realm of general nursing.
For forty + years now I have been a midwife. I have encouraged women to birth babies over a few generations now. I have encouraged some of those babies to birth their own and so it has continued.
I have worked with families providing the best care I could give. I have held their hands during the best times of their lives and during the saddest times of their lives also.
I have seen much laughter and love and heartache in my craft which I will never forget and there are women especially that will remain in my heart always.
This recent work has seen me step away somewhat from that which I am used to.
No longer am I supporting labouring women. Now I am working mainly with older folk who have experienced most of their lives and for the majority, are in their twilight years.
I have found a joy working with these people I did not ever think I would.
One environment I now work in is an aged care facility with residents who all have various stages of dementia. Most do not remember me when I return day by day to assist in providing their daily care, but I remember them and their personalities and their likes and dislikes so I am able to nurture and support as they travel this journey alone but in my company.
I cannot help but marvel at those colleagues who work with these people day in and day out, doing the same things each day with them but have no qualms about returning each time. It's a joy to watch the bond between the staff and the residents who for the most have known each other for long periods of time, given this workplace is in a small rural community about an hour's drive from my home.
Some of the staff are related to the residents either through family and or through marriage and extended family, or may have lived around the corner or down the street from them for most of their lives, so there is an element of closeness and connectivity that is missing in other places I have been for other reasons.
As I mentioned earlier, I really am surprised at how much I am enjoying the change in my workplace.
Who was it that said you can't teach an old dog new tricks?
I am 61 now and continuing to learn as I go. There is a joy in knowing that new colleagues respect and appreciate your work ethic. I will be working for at least a few more years yet, so, enjoyment is imperative at this stage of the game.
Enough for now. I think it's high time for a cuppa and I might just tackle that competency that's awaiting my superior knowledge!
Bye for now.

A day of Remembrance

As mentioned earlier, today we travelled to Canberra's War Memorial to witness our country's tribute to fallen soldiers from World War 1 on this Remembrance Day 2015.

The morning was cold and a little threatening with grey clouds above but regardless, a group of 10 of us walked into the centre of the city to catch a bus to The Memorial in time to obtain a good posse for the ceremony.

We arrived in plenty of time for the service but alas it started to drizzle just after we got there, and, as we were not ticket holders, had to stand just outside the barriers as we had no allocated seating.

Approximately 5 minutes before the start, the barriers were opened and we could grab a seat if we wanted but Murray and I decided to stay where we were as we had an excellent view of where the dignitaries were to be seated from where we were standing.

We watched as 'important' people were ushered in... The Prime Minister, his wife, the leader of the opposition, Sir Peter Cosgrove, Govenor General and his wife, Tony Abbott and then in a sleek black car arrived HRH Prince Charles and his beloved wife HRH Camilla. 

By then the skies had well and truly opened and umbrellas were the order of the day so, as we stood and watched whilst slowly getting wetter and wetter, the service began.

1100 hrs. brought the obligatory minutes silence. Funny how the discussion of war, the musical notes of 'The Last Post' and the uttering of 'The Ode' always bring me to tears as I think of my father and his father, my uncles who also fought and those innocents who died not knowing why they were in a war far from home as it turned out.

Such an emotional remembrance, despite the lousy weather had people stand in silence for that minute with no distractions to bother us apart from a plane that flew overhead.

All too soon, the service was completed and we dispersed in the rain, pondering how to return to the familiar streets of the university.

We trudged in rain soaked streets away from the War Memorial until we found a bus that would take us back to the heart of the city.

From there it was lunch at the Pancake Parlour which was surprisingly tasty and comforting for our cold bodies.

We stepped out of our lunch eating house to the bus stop and within minutes our number 7 bus was waiting to return us to our temporary home back at the university.

The Story of Four Little Hens

Once upon a time there were four little brown hens.

They all had names and these were Charles, Camilla, Audrey and Cluck.

One thing about these four was that three of them were impossible to tell apart as they all looked very much the same. Cluck was the only one that looked different because of her tail feather which stuck out like that of an Apache Squaw.

Cluck's tail feather was not like that at birth nor for the first few weeks of her life but became so because the dog-next-door decided one day he might like to have a home chicken dinner compliments of Cluck and her family, both hens and humans.

Fortunately for Cluck, the dog-next-door was thwarted in his plans by the human male who fed her, when he heard her cries of distress as the dog was making off with her to his home.

When the human male who fed her heard her desperate cries plus those of her sisters, he threw rocks and sticks at the dog-next-door until the dog got the message that this chicken dinner might not be such a good idea after all, and so, he released his very mouthy strangle hold around her neck and made his way back through a hole in the fence to safety, pretending all the while that he was a good dog, despite being adorned with Cluck's feathers.

The two dogs that lived at the same address as Cluck watched all these happenings without much enthusiasm and the human was most disappointed that they did not attempt to save their family member from the dog-next-door but such is life, and goodness prevailed in the end with Cluck saved (this life... and this misadventure) from the jaws of a dogs life.

So, time went on and the chooks loved to roam around the paddocks that were the home to the humans who fed them lived there.

The two dogs who also resided at the same address did not concern themselves with the chooks as they were far too busy chasing rabbits (not that they caught any, mind) but they would follow behind, munching on the leftovers the chooks forgot from time to time.

The male owner was most taken by the way the four chooks scratched to find insects and bits to eat whereas the woman owner was quite taken with how these four ran when called, cocking (no pun) their heads to one side and chattering as they ran to the human voices from time to time as well.

The four hens lived a full and productive life each laying an egg per day and occasionally one of these eggs was a trophy egg, being large and a double-yoker.

The female human would sometimes wonder how it much feel to lay an egg and wondered if there was any pain involved.........

On one occasion one egg had a very soft and spongey shell and was consequently deemed not good and was given to the two dogs who resided on the land. They were not fussy dogs and were very happy to receive a tasty morsel outside of their normal food time. 

On the whole though each of the chooks continued to produce one egg per day and these eggs were usually birthed in straw which protected them from the hard earth of the ground until the humans collected them after 10 am. each day, regular as clockwork.

Needless to say, all four hens, Charles, Camilla, Audrey and Cluck continued to live a most productive life, enjoying their morning scrounge outside once they were freed from their home each day, whilst the male human stayed within close distance as there were wee red foxes about.

The foxes were to be seen occasionally hovering in the distance and human neighbours who lived not far from this home would tell tales about the pillaging if one was not careful.

Consequently, these hens were allowed freedom when the humans were about, but for their own safety were put back inside when the humans were not around.

This is the end of Part One of the story..... The Story of Four Little Hens.

The frog, the fox and the bandicoot.

So, my recent nursing  efforts have been mainly in aged care, more specifically working in a facility in Mount Beauty where the people are referred to as residents for this is their life and they reside there indefinitely.

My first couple of shifts were awkward to say the least as it is the responsibility of the Div 1 nurse to administer medications throughout the day, whilst overseeing my colleagues as they physically care for the residents, some of whom are very dependant whereas there are others who require a minimum of care. 

They are all together in this ward, living in separate rooms, some with furniture, others with bits and pieces left over I dare say from the sale of their homes when their lives are changed irrevocably with admission the the hospital setting.

Some of the residents are quite cognitive and require some degree of physical assistance. A few have various stages of dementia and it can be a little tricky dealing with their confusion and petulance at times. I have found it easier to sit with these people and explain their medications each time simplistically but without patronising their situation.

 As I have worked there a few shifts now I have become more familiar with not just the layout of the establishment but with the people I am working for (the residents) and their various needs and wants. I still have to be very careful with medications as they can be a little tricky (thank goodness for MIMS!!!) and I like to know what I am coercing people to take so, whilst I am taking a little bit longer than my colleagues to 'do the drugs' I am too being educated on old medications that haven't changed since I was a junior nurse and new medications with names that are unusual to say the least.

I know within this establishment who to trust to swallow their tablets and those who will wait till you leave the room to spit out what you have given them.

I have learnt how to crush using a mortar and pestle, mix it with the purée of the day and feed it to those who are infirm and are unable to swallow formed tablets and capsules.

I fed medication to a lady this evening who with every spoonful would mutter "no tablets here sister". I had to reassure her repeatedly that her tablets were crushed and in the purée I was feeding her and she was delighted, thinking I was slipping her a little treat that the others weren't getting.

There are a couple of women there who need full assistance with all their care. I love to look at their family representation around them when I am with them so I can chat to them about their grandchildren, children and husbands. One woman I was with tonight who has lost the power of speech and is permanently in bed has a photo by her bed of herself, say, some 10 years ago. She was a fine looking woman back then with upswept hair, makeup, beautiful clothes and pearls around her neck. She must be very loved as there are cards surrounding her from various family members and mementoes from her life before hospital.

I feel pain in my heart when I think of the person she was, and still is mind, but life has cruelly robbed her of her vivacity and her ability to be who she once was. It is so important I realise to treat her with respect and deference rather than just another job on the shift.

All the shifts I have worked at Mount Beauty have been morning shifts until today.

I have loved the drive over of a morning. I have to leave home by 0600 hours at the latest as it takes me the best of an hour to get there but morning sunrise makes it so worth it. One morning as I drove over Pretty Valley and the mountain into the Kiewa Valley I spied no less than 12 kangaroos and wallabies.

Today I started work at 2:30 and finished at 11pm. The nurses I worked with tonight regaled me with tales of deer, kangaroos and wombat encounters on the roads to their homes so I was a little apprehensive about what I might literally run into as I drove over the mountain again.

As I left Mount Beauty and was travelling up the road to Tawonga I spied a little transparent frog gaily hopping into the middle of the road in front of me. I was going slowly enough to ensure he didn't encounter my tyres so I was happy with my conservation effort there.

As I left Tawonga and was driving through Coral Bank, I encountered a brown fox who was on the side of the road. Fortunately for me (and him) he made no effort to run into my path so once again I notched that one up also. Mind there are many out there who might dispute the fox thing and say "kill, kill kill the fox" but it won't be me doing any killing if I can help it.

So, I left the Kiewa Valley Highway and turned left into Pretty Valley Road which is where it becomes very windy as the road snakes its way over the mountain and into more familiar territory (for me that is).

At the top of the mountain after a couple of hairpin bends where I was terrified of running into a curious kangaroo or a destructive deer and I was travelling very slowly I saw an animal making its way slowly across my path. He did not look right nor left but just proceeded across at his own pace so I stopped and let him pass. There was no danger as I was the only fool on this road at this time of the night. This was my bandicoot who seemed to look my way when I stopped as if to say thank you, then proceeded on to his destination, and then so did I.

I encountered no further night time creatures other than a very well fed bunny on my drive as I got home so for this I was most grateful.

I consider myself one very fortunate person for many reasons. My encounters with creatures great and small, human and non-human makes me realise just how fortunate I am at this stage of my life to have health and vision and the heart to be grateful for these things.

A tale of two valleys.

Today I had the pleasure of travelling quite a distance from home, across a valley or two to a beautiful town at the very foot of the snow mountains, with the apt name of Mount Beauty.

I have worked so far at the Bright And Myrtleford Hospitals and enjoyed every shift. Staff have been very welcoming and receptive fortunately for me and when I accepted an orientation shift at Mount Beauty Hospital I thought I might have mozzed myself and run out of good fortune.

I knew Mount Beauty was quite a drive, around an hour from home, and one must always be on the lookout for kangaroos, deer (yes deer), bunnies and foxes up here and there are many winds to the roads as you traverse up and down mountains so, as I was unused to this drive, I set my alarm last night for 4:45 this morning. 

When I awoke and gazed outside as I ate my cereal and drank my cup of tea I saw a low slung crescent moon with Venus shining just above it. There was a glimmer on the hills opposite our place to let me know it wouldn't be long before the sun arose and as I made my way down the drive as I left home the moon disappeared from view leaving Venus Star to shine for just a little longer as the dawn broke and the birds awoke.

All along our road until I got into Myrtleford there was fog cover more dense in some parts than others and try as I might to see local fauna, they must have all been sleeping steadfastedly as there were none to be seen. 

I turned left when I got to Ovens to travel along Pretty Valley and there were patches of breathtaking beauty as I drove along the lonely road winding along the valley until I then traversed the top of a mountain range over into the Kiewa Valley. There was such abundant bird life as I listened to the radio and I could faintly hear Red Simons chortling away from time to time and it kept me distracted enough as I was a little stressed about how my day would go in yet another new environment.

What really made me gasp with pleasure was the sight of Mount Bogong to my left as I drove along,  its top covered in snow and Falls Creek in front with its snow capped mountain beckoning also. To be surrounded by such beauty really made me take stock of these life changes we have made and how grateful I am to be living in such a spectacular environment now.

I got to Mount Beauty with five minutes to spare, so all up it had taken me 55 minutes to get to the hospital which was right on the main roundabout as you drive into the town. All very easy to find.

I walked into the main reception and was greeted warmly by a staff member and was then invited into the nurses station where I ran into a nurse I had worked with many years ago when I was a student!

You can guess dear reader, that this started my day off with a big smile on my face and dear reader the day just got better and better.

I worked the day with Paul, a diehard Hawks fan who was very excited for his football team tonight, a British nurse Jacqui who looks about 16 (but can't be) as she is the Mum of four with her eldest aged 24, Heather who is the acting NUM and an overseas student Maricelle. I have not laughed at work so much for such a long time. Work was all about having fun for a change, joking with the various patients as we showered them, dishing out their medications, moving beds, cleaning beds ( nurses get to strip beds, clean beds and make the beds up here) taking patients outside into the warm sun, going across the road to the local pharmacy to drop scripts off, having morning tea and lunch and walking out at the end of the shift with a smile on my face.

I might not be birthing babies at the moment as birthing numbers are certainly reduced in these small rural hospitals, but I am gradually merging into a team of midwives who practise case-loading with those few women who elect to birth with minimal intervention as possible. 

Next week I will be doing my second lot of 24 hour on-call for a woman who is due to birth shortly. Once these women advance to 2 weeks prior to their due date, midwives are offered on call in anticipation of their labour so it will be exciting to finally participate in a birth or two if it so happens on my watch.

Birthing numbers are reduced up here now, as these rural towns are embracing older generations more and more as people like myself and my husband appreciate the advantages of living in a calmer, cleaner atmosphere as we retire and try to age gracefully. The death rate out of the major towns is far greater than the birth rate I am told, but whilst this must sound morbid one must realise it's a fact of life and part of the evolution of such places.

I left Mount Beauty this afternoon just on 4 pm. as I had to purchase a couple of things before winding my way back home.

The drive again was spectacular and I drove a different way home over the Tawonga Gap back into Bright and therefore onto more familiar roads. I was at peace with many things as I returned to Buffalo Creek Road and I knew once again we had made the right decision for ourselves as I felt my heightened excitement at returning to my home, husband and dogs.