Thurs 5th February, 2009 – Addendum

Well, we have now been home since early October '08.
The kids went back to school; I went back to work full-time and Pete played house-dad while looking for a job that just didn’t eventuate. All those promised interviews across the Nullarbor turned to dust as the economic crisis hit its peak on our return and everyone pulled back to lick their wounds so to speak.
Pete’s dad who was doing so well while we were away headed into a downwards spiral which started in September with a quick stay in hospital for day surgery turning into a permanent stay that ended in a nursing home on December 4th, having never made it home again. He will be sadly missed by the whole family and we are grateful that Pete was able to spend so much time by his bedside over the past few months of his life.
On Christmas Eve, Pete got his wish and was offered a job at ‘Gartner’ as their regional vice president, Events in Asia Pacific and Japan. As I write he is recovering from his first trip of the year to Japan and heads off this weekend for Stamford, USA.
Being back home was a little surreal to start; I felt like a ‘Hill Billy’ trying to merge on the autobahn with my horse and cart.
Being rather wary of jumping into the fray and also ‘cash poor’ we decided to cancel all activities for the term. With no swimming, soccer, piano, Japanese or other lessons to attend the kids were free to enjoy the park across the road, jump on the trampoline or play cricket with the neighbours. Chloe however had other ideas and quickly jumped back into Gymnastics ramping up her hours from 12 to 15hrs/week by Christmas time.
It’s funny but life just keeps creeping up on you and before you know it you are as busy as before. The kids are now back into a new school year, the activities have been enrolled in yet again and I am Vet working part-time and acting as treasurer for our thredbo ski lodge while still keeping a morning sacred for surfing.
Life is manic once again, but perhaps now we will take a break more often and be more cognitive of the need for ‘family’ time, I'll let you know...