It’s Been a Week

It was a short, but oh so sweet 43 hours with my Melbourne family.

I caught the railway bus at Howard at midday on Tuesday. The trip took 3.5 hours because we stopped at Gunalda service centre for a whole hour for lunch - most annoying because there was nothing gluten free for me to eat!

I had pre booked an uber ride to take me to Mooloolaba from the station, so luckily, the bus arrived on time and the uber was 5 minutes late. Maria was my driver. She was a very friendly, open, talkative woman in her 50s, so it was a pleasant 25 minute ride that cost me just short of $59.

My family was waiting for me in their driveway and little 5 year old Hazey, who I last met when she was just 17 days old, was quivering with excitement, shifting quickly left and right on her feet and wearing a beaming smile on her face waiting to give me a big squishy hug.

I hugged Vegan Chickie first, then set down my bag and suitcase, dropped to my knees and squeezed little Hazey telling her how happy I was to meet her and how I had been looking forward to this hug all day. She said “I love you Bozzy Wozzy”. 

I lost count of how many times she uttered those words during the 43 hours and it filled my heart every single time.

My little Chicklet isn’t so little anymore! 

She wasn’t outside greeting me, but came into the lounge room after I’d been inside for about 3 minutes. I’m guessing that she was giving Hazey the first ten minutes of my time because she seemed genuinely happy to see me and gave me a big hug.

She is now about 3 inches taller than me! She was very chuffed about that!

After a catch up and gift giving, we ordered Thai for dinner which was delicious.

I think I was in bed by 9.30pm which is way past my bedtime.

I invited Hazey into my room at about 7.30am the next day and we chatted while she went through the thousands of photos and memes saved on my iPad.

We all made ourselves presentable and left for Eumundi markets at about 10.30am arriving at 11am.

We enjoyed exactly one hour of market time, rarely together, because we were all there looking for different things. I parted from them and made my way to the bottom part of the markets when the heavens opened …

For the next two hours I was by myself. I found good shelter from the rain and waited it out.

I found some art.

I also found myself a nice stash of turquoise jewellery. Six necklaces and a ring.

I purchased 2 gifts for BGWLBH. One to give her immediately and one to save for Christmas.

Adoring Husband received a new wallet because his current wallet was literally torn and falling apart.

When the rain stopped, I went in search of my family and found them pretty well drenched under a large umbrella behind a building.

We all bundled into the car and drove home tired but happy.

That evening, I looked after the kids while Vegan Chickie and Mr Perfect had a date night.

They made sure Hazey was asleep before they left.

Chicklet and I spent the night watching multiple episodes of her favourite show “Gravity Falls” while eating junk food. It was sooooo goood. I loved every minute of it.

Mum and Dad returned much earlier than expected and I think I was in bed by 10.30pm.

I struggled to fall asleep and it was 3am when I last looked at the time.

The first soft knock on the door came at 6.12am and then every 3 minutes until 6.27am when I called for Hazey to come in. We had fun and giggles until 8am when I had a shower, made myself presentable, packed my goods and prepared to leave.

Their plan for the day was Australia Zoo, so they drove me to Nambour, where we purchased our morning coffee and spent some time together before I left them for the station.

I was relieved to discover that the trip home was by train which meant the trip home was an hour shorter than the trip down.

Adoring Husband was waiting at the station for me and it was nice to arrive home to a very happy Harley who welcomed me with his wagging tail and loud hellos.

I caught up with both AH and BGWLBH. They made their own dinners.

AH and I watched Big Brother together and I came to bed exhausted. A solid 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep was my reward.

BGWLBH worked today and I played with Harley then went off for a ride on my trike, catching up with an old friend at the Bowls Club and home in time for a late lunch.

I sat with AH for the afternoon watching the quiz shows, played with Harley and came to bed for a rest, where I remained.

I’m currently watching the old movie Cocoon.

I’m definitely ready for sleep now.

Nite all.