Category: Family Life
Playtime in Wellington Botanical Garden
We had an enjoyable ride in the Wellington Cable Car up to the Botanical Garden. It was a scorching day. Mum, Imogen and I met my sister and baby Amber by the duck pond in a shaded area of the garden. Imogen and Amber ran around and chased one another in Anderson Park where Shakespeare plays are performed outside during the summer.
The incredible views over Wellington from the top of the Cable Car where the Botanical Garden is situated. The beauty of Wellington never ceases to take my breath away.
Cousins Imogen and Amber ran after one another all afternoon. Imogen was desperate to get hold of Amber’s hat and looked like the cat who’d got the cream once it was on her head!
Imogen and Amber playing with Gran and their hats in the park. We all had a wonderful day out with many happy memories.
Reflecting on the Year Gone By
Tomorrow I’ll be turning 30 something! I always find myself reflecting on the eve of my Birthday, looking back over the year and reviewing all that has been.
The past year has certainly had it’s fair share of ups and downs as life has thrown work, health and various other challenges at us which have been hard to deal with at times.
Some of these challenges are still with us and are completely out of our control. It’s these that I find the hardest to manage as we don’t have the ability to change things. But despite everything, we always strive to make the most of every day and to love and appreciate what we have in life.
Some of the memorable events since my last Birthday:
- My beautiful baby stopped breastfeeding
- I went back to work… and later decided it was too soon to be away from my baby
- Imogen started walking
- We visited our renovation project in France and continued to dream of our future
- Imogen and I travelled to New Zealand to spend time with family and friends
- I’ve learnt more about parenting than I ever imagined was possible!
- Imogen started talking
- I treasure how much I love being a Mummy
My wonderful friends and family are always so supportive and I’m forever thankful for them. Here’s to a brilliant year ahead, living life to the full and enjoying every day.
Enjoying a pre-Birthday drink in Wellington
Molly
When my sister and I were growing up our pets were from the RSPCA, animal rescue centres or we found them abandoned and needing a home. I’m so thankful our parents helped to teach us how to love and respect all living creatures. This is something hubby and I wish to pass on to Imogen who has grown up with Louis and Mia. It’s so wonderful to see she has already developed a love of animals and knowledge of how to care for them.
Molly is a short haired tortoiseshell moggy who became my very own first beloved rescue cat in 1996. She shared such a precious time with me when I was at University, sitting for hours on end whilst I read books and wrote essays. She then lovingly became part of my parent’s life when I moved from New Zealand to London in 2003.
I’ve been lucky enough to see Molly again and spend time with her during this holiday in New Zealand. I’m thrilled she and Imogen have become friends. Imogen absolutely adores Molly. Molly is now 17 years old which is a ripe old age, even for a cat.
Six weeks ago we knew something wasn’t quite right with Molly. She was drinking and urinating excessively. Given that the summer here has been nothing but hot we didn’t think anything of it until she started to slow down. We took her to the vet and after some tests she was diagnosed with diabetes. That’s the last thing we had considered. I knew little about diabetes in cats and have since discovered the symptoms are similar to humans who suffer from diabetes.
Molly now needs a high protein low carbohydrate diet to help her lose a small amount of weight and two injections of insulin each day to help regulate her blood glucose levels. After making some changes to her diet and giving the insulin twice daily she has perked up and is back to her very bonny self. She is a star.
It’s going to be so difficult to say goodbye to Molly next week, knowing her health and her age. I love her so much. She was there with me throughout my student years, she watched me grow up and she saw me take a leap of faith when I flew the nest and ventured to London. Molly, you will be forever in my heart.
