Instalment 21 Wednesday 27 April 2011

Hi ho...it's off to work I go, with two little possums in tow.

My feeding schedule kicked off fine this morning and I managed to finish on time and not be late for work. I had plenty of time to organise myself at school and even managed to make it to devotions.

It was great seeing the kids at school and it sounded like everyone had a lovely holiday. The day progressed well and I fed the possums in my break. No one knew they were here at school. They stayed quietly in their basket in my office. No one can see them and the reason I didn't share my news with the kids is because they would all want to see them and there are just too many students. It would turn out to be a circus, with the possums all stressed out.

When I went to feed Saori in the afternoon, I noticed she was a little bit damp. I think she leaks quite a bit of her formula. I'm not so sure how much actually makes it down into her tummy.

I worked back at school till about 5pm and then packed up and came on home. I was relieved the day had gone so well, however, I felt knackered. By about 6:30pm, I actually felt a little nausea. It's been a big gig for me, so I'm sure there was a bit of tension with regard to how the day was going to pan out.

It was all good.

Instalment 20 Tuesday 26 April 2011

Well I spent most of today working on programs and lesson notes for my return to school tomorrow. Back to reality! Ouch.

I must admit I was a little nervous as to how I was going to manage the possums, as well as teach and fit in a regular working day. I nutted out exact times to feed the possums so they wouldn't impact my work commitments. But, because I am working with animals, I know at some point things may get tricky. You know what they say...never work with children or animals...and it seems I'm a sucker for punishment because I work with both!

It is a great week for my situation, though. Today is normally a paid working day for me, however, it was deemed a public holiday so I got the day off. This means Wednesday is my Monday and my Friday - for this week only.

This is a bit of a break for me, so I can now ease into this new territory calmly and make any necessary adjustments.

I enjoyed a productive day and managed to get all my preparations completed and now everything is packed and ready to go.

Both possums are fine and Tamigotchi is now officially off his medicine. Now time will tell. I weighed both the possums this evening.

Tamigotchi is now 90 grams, and little Saori, who looks like she is getting bigger, according to my scales, has not put on ANY weight! I have no idea what is going on. She still only weighs 57 grams. How can this be?

How frustrating to think she is healthy, happy, her fur is shiny, she is very alert and energetic, and she drinks all her milk so well, but yet she is not putting on an ounce of weight. I don't know what to do.

I'll see how she goes over the next couple of days and then give Gillian a call if there is no increase in weight soon.

This is little Saori...she is my little princess. The photo above is of Tamigotchi.

Instalment 19 Monday 25 April 2011

Kimmy and I both wanted to get up and go to a dawn service and we'd decided that we would, but because Sunday ended up being such a big day, and what with me having to keep getting up to feed the possums through the night, I made an executive decision not to do it this year. Kimmy was also feeling the bite, and so we made a pact to do it next year.

I was up at 4:30am anyway...with baby possums, up to my ears in syringes and milky products. I watched the dawn service in the comfort of my telly room and cheered the diggers on.

I send a prayer to all diggers and their families...may God bless them and keep them and I give thanks to them for the undeniable freedom that I enjoy. Amen.

Anzac Day is such a special, reflective time for all Australians and New Zealanders everywhere. It's only a few short years to the centenary celebration - 100 years already! Wow...time goes so quickly.

Both possums are going well. I did a quick update with Gillian to keep her in the loop. Tamigotchi finishes his medicine tomorrow, so I am hoping we get a positive reaction when he comes off everything.

Aww...just how cute can a possum get? So beautiful.

Instalment 18 Sunday 24 April 2011

Today is Easter Sunday and family came from the Sunshine coast to celebrate with us. The weather was perfect. Sunshine warmed everything and made us all feel good to be alive. The atmosphere was fresh and most enjoyable.

Jocelyn and Chris decided to host a family lunch to mark the occasion. We set up a couple of tables outside in the fresh air to enjoy the sunshine.

Have I mentioned the beautiful sunshine?

Liz, Peter, Thora and Poppy travelled down from Belli Park and Tish and Andy just popped in. They actually live in the same suburb as us.

We started off with a few drinks and nibblies, just to unwind.

Unfortunately Kimmy had to work, but the rest of us were here.

Joss was in charge of organising everything. She asked me to bake some gourmet pumpkin and feta bread. The recipe required me to use yeast. In all my years of cooking I've always avoided recipes that have called for the use of yeast. I don't know why, but I've always been fearful of using the stuff. Anyway, I decided I'd give it a go...and guess what? It worked! Surprise, surprise. Well, secretly I was rather surprised.

Joss made a gorgeous risotto with mushrooms and asparagus. Liz & Tish made a lovely meat platter with garden salad. For dessert, Joss made a raspberry & cream tart. The food was absolutely exquisite to our taste buds.

Pete and Ian seemed to enjoy each other's company and delighted in challenging Dylan and Andy to a couple of games of pool.

Chris busied himself helping Joss set up everything and did a wonderful job laying out some yummy chocolate easter eggs for us to munch on. Never mind our waist lines. They just continue to grow and grow.

Poppy enjoyed the day and it was great catching up with him. He is going really well and he and Thora joined in with all the celebrations. We don't get to see them all that much, so today's opportunity was wonderful.




Dylan's girlfriend, Tahlia, made some yummy handmade chocolate giant freckles and some heart shaped ones as well. Talk about a great idea.

Oscar, Mitzi, and Billie, Ewok and Florence (the dogs) all had a great time running around and being...well, dogs.

It was a great way to spend the day and everyone seemed very relaxed and chilled out.

All in all, Easter Sunday was a very special day. The extended family got to meet our newest members, Tamigotchi and Saori. Everyone thought they really were very cute.

They continue to eat well and Tamigotchi seems fine. He is still on Nilstat and I have been adding a quarter of a capsule of Inner Health Plus, under the guidance of Gillian. This apparently helps balance out the gut flora while Tamigotchi is battling yeast and urinary tract infections.

In the evening, Kimmy and I went together with Joss, Chris, Andy and Tish to church. We visited Joss and Chris' church for their Easter evening service. The pastor shared a great message.

Instalment 17 Saturday 23 April 2011

Not a lot to report for today. My holidays are taken up with feeding routines and trying to fit all my other commitments into my imposed four-hourly increments. But I don't mind. I'm feeling a little tired though.

I am not one to have nana naps (oops, I mean - power naps) as I always seem to feel worse, so I don't. I never get to catch up on my missed sleep and I think I read somewhere that you can never regain lost sleep. Don't quote me, but I know I read it somewhere.

Tamigotchi remains fresh smelling and continues to eat well. This is a good thing.

Saori has decided that she likes to stand up to be fed. That brings its own sorts of problems in that she dribbles a lot of the milk away and it runs down her skinny little elbows. She is such a character...really very cute who knows what she wants. She really likes to do things her way.

Instalment 16 Friday 22 April 2011

I've had Tamigotchi for three weeks and Saori for one week now. It feels like longer, but in a positive way. They both continue to get used to me and their new situation. Tamigotchi did not have any more incidences or toileting issues and they both continue to eat well.

I'm sure Saori is growing a teeny bit bigger.

Instalment 15 Thursday 21 April 2011

After Tamigotchi received his antibiotic injection and we started him on a course of Nilstat, things looked brighter this morning. He is doing well and there is no sour odour in his fur and he came out of his pouch all warm and dry.

During the day, Tamigotchi continued to do well at feeding time, but at the first of the evening feeds, I noticed he was quite wet again. This was a little disappointing. I dried him off and again, I managed to get him to go to the toilet.

I guess these things take time. Tamigotchi fed well during the night and there were no other incidents of wetness.

Saori continues to be happy and well adjusted. She is a dream to take care of. I have separated them and I keep all feeding implements completely separate and sterilised. I have to be careful not to accidentally infect Saori with any germs.