After getting so far behind with my blog I decided it was time to, as much as possible, bring things up to the present time. All good intentions but unfortunately I’m still a little behind. I nearly did it but then there were deadlines to more pressing needs – job applications!
On returning to Perth I have also been pretty flat. I think it has something to do with post-holiday blues! My friend Grace picked me up from the airport after a one and a half hour wait, no fault of hers as she was caught in traffic on two freeways which is very unusual in Perth especially in the middle of the day on a Saturday! She first drove me home to drop my things before heading to Mum’s where Grace caught up with Mum before leaving.
I suppose Mum’s place shouldn’t have been a shock but it certainly brought me back to reality with a thud. Mum had been on her own four days and it was beginning to show. At least it proved she needed support even though she thinks she is able to do it alone. Her memory is deteriorating quite rapidly and most morning now she is very muddle headed.
I am truly grateful to the friends and family who called in to chat, check up on and offer assistance to Mum during this time. Thank you.
It didn’t take me long to get back into a bit of a daily routine although my sleep fell apart once again. Staying on Perth time while in Sydney definitely helped but now that I was back I started tossing and turning all night waking even earlier than I had in Sydney. This isn’t so great now that the sun rises after 5:30 am! A late sunrise means I need to wait till there is enough light before heading out otherwise I cannot see where I’m running, which is quite dangerous on the rough pathways in the bush! It also means I see more traffic and people taking their dogs for a walk. I must admit I much prefer going it alone at 4:30 am, this is part of my quiet time with the Lord.
That first week home I visited Charlie Gardener Hospital Sleep Clinic where I had an interview to see if I was eligible for a sleep study. It was quite an experience to get there as I wanted to take public transport so that I didn’t have to park at the hospital and so that I knew how long it would take when I returned for an overnight sleep study. It wasn’t too bad a journey. Taking just under an hour, I arriving ahead of time so I didn’t have to rush around looking for the place. Rush! I don’t think hospitals are known for being on time. I must have waited another hour after my appointment time! While waiting I had a breathing test to eliminate asthma or any obstructions. When I finally saw the doctor he was very understanding. We talked about my sleep challenges and what I had been doing to help the situation before seeing the professor, both doctor and the professor agreed I was doing all the right things and more to help promote sleep. I was then booked in for the overnight study on the 24th of March to determine if I had sleep apnoea.
I caught two busses back to Mum’s in peak hour with standing room only. I was surprised to find a seat to share just behind the driver. I hadn’t realise this extra-large seat was a wide single seat. When I realised what I had done I apologised to the young student who had kindly moved over for me. I ask her if she minded me sitting with her, she had no objections as she was getting off soon and we were both slim built and there was plenty of room.
Being back in Perth, it was so nice to be able to get back into my garden. Only a few things had died which was understandable as some of my little cuttings were in places difficult to see. The tomatoes where in abundance, enough to make three large bottles of sauce. The strawberry plants had sent off runners which now cover the whole garden bed at the back of the house but unfortunately they had spent all their energy in runners and none to producing strawberries so no fruits to enjoy. Unlike the small terracotta pot which continues to fruit. Thanks to all the rain that fell while I was in Sydney I did have a full water tank. It was a delight to water the garden for the first time with rain water which I also use on my hair. This is a real treat as it leaves my hair softer as the mains water here is very harsh, heavy mineral and chemical treated. There is lots to do around the garden since being away three weeks especially as all the rain has caused the weeds to spring up in abundance. The rain also brought on a new flourish of growth on many of the trees and shrubs which is such a delight to witness.
Nezka also needed some help collecting flooring which she had found for a bargain on Gumtree. We took her vehicle which is a four-wheel drive with collapsible seating at the back. Once the seats had been laid down we piled in the floor panels. I was a bit concerned with the weight on the axel as there was over 70-80 square meters! It would have to be two trips!
While we were loading the flooring I had a call from my brother-in-law, Trevor, asking if I was able to help Mum as she had locked herself out and couldn’t find the spare key. One of her neighbours was there trying to help but Trevor was unable to go. To cut a long story short, a spare front door key was found in the key locked-box beside her front door and then another key was found in the glovebox of Mum’s car. I think this key had been removed from her main set of car keys which she usually takes, instead, this time she had taken the spare car keys which didn’t have the front door keys attached.
When I eventually arrived, I exchanged the spare car keys with her original car keys, reattached the front door keys and later cut a new front door key to attach to the spare car keys, these I hid for my sisters to use when they were in town. I also went through the myriad of odd keys she had scattered on the kitchen bench. I removed all these keys so that she would no longer get confused. I then disposed of all the keys that didn’t fit locks and took a copy of the keys that are still in use to give to Mum’s neighbour. This was a backup plan just in case Mum accidently locked herself out or worse, she had a fall and was locked in.
In the meantime, Nezka and I unloaded the first load of floor boards and returned for the second much lighter load. We had a long talk on our return trip, about my beliefs and faith. It was lovely being able to talk about the things of the Lord so openly. I was blessed when she said she liked the way I didn’t force my beliefs upon her. I think it’s always better to live your faith and pray that the Lord will open an opportunity for people to ask questions.
Since being back I have applied for three jobs. They were all online which is a new thing for me. I don’t think I have applied for work since my business took off in Sydney in 1999. With my new resume in order my first submission was for Bunnings. While visiting a store I inquired with one of the attendants what it was like to work for Bunnings and how to apply. I was told Bunnings looked after their team well but I’d probably not hear from anyone for about a year. I thought I might be able to work on the floor helping people with their DIY projects.
The second job application was recommended to me by Mum’s Chaplain. For some time I had thought about contacting Mum’s Chaplain, Ian, and ask if he was able to give me some time to debrief and pray together. As Mum’s carer her Chaplain is able to give me support so I called for an appointment. Ian, met me at home and together we walked to a local coffee shop where we talked about all sorts of thing. Before leaving I asked if he could pray for me as I was looking for work. He mentioned there was a position coming up as Chaplain for the retirement village in Gwelup which is about 10 mins from home. He thought the job would be a good fit for me as not only have I had experience in pastoral work but also with the elderly and those with dementia. He gave me the number of Mum’s previous Chaplain who I had also met, who had recently been employed at Gwelup. When I gave him a call he was surprised that I knew about the position as it had not yet been advertised. We had a good chat which gave me an idea of what they were looking for and the hours required which is 2 days a week. An ideal position. As soon as it was advertised I put in an application, changing my resume to reflect my Christian endeavours.
Third job application was the hardest with three major questions needing lots of thought and preparation. Suffice to say it is also about two days a week with flexible times. I also let my sister and a friend in NSW know of the openings in their states. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we were all accepted and met to do the training together. I feel so blessed with both these latter job opportunitie
s I would be amazing if I was accepted as I would still have time to do my business. This new start up business with Grace from Sydney is at the moment in the hands of my accountant who is setting it up with legal documents and business registration.
These job opportunities have been very timely as my application for the carer’s payment was rejected due to the recent change in legislation. But, praise the Lord, I did receive back pay from when I first applied in April 2016. All praise to Jesus the author and finisher of my faith. He is true to His word and has never let me down. He is my mighty provider! I’m so blessed!
As you can see it’s been an exciting few weeks. Now it’s all in the Lord’s hands. Whatever the outcome I know it’s the Lord who leads and provides for me.
Photos: 1. Strawberries 2. Front garden looking lush 3. Side path needing to be done and seedlings to be planted 4. My first and only pomegranate 5. Passionfruit flourishing 6. Mandarin and Lime tree ravished by leaf minor
Prayer & Praise Points:
Praise the Lord for His leading and provision in all areas of my life.
Praise God for all those who looked in on Mum during my absence and for His Hand upon her life.
Please pray continue to pray for my sister Jenny as she continue to look for work in Eumundi and for her and my job applications that we may be successful in those that will best suit us.
Praise the Lord for mum’s continual good health and safety on the road. Please pray she will graciously accept that she will no longer be able to drive when her licence expires on 21 April this year.
Please continue to pray that I will know the Lord’s leading, strength and wisdom as I encounter the challenges that lie ahead.
Thank you to all my supportive friends and prayer partners. I really do appreciate you.