Reality

Well, we have been home now for two weeks, and it has flown by.  It is back to reality - hence the title.  The weather is starting to improve and yesterday we had the warmth of 29oC ( 84 Fahrenheit), and was lovely.  Everyone was complaining how hot it was and I was going No give me more - I love it.  I have decided that I have an aversion to the cold.  My Rheumatoid arthritis has been terrible since being home and I now realise that it is the climate that has an effect on pain and stiffness.  I didn't have much trouble when I was away due to the heat, but since coming home have had restless nights and woken quite stiff in the mornings and have that constant familiar ache back.  Urrgh.
I seems a whole world away that this time two weeks ago we were having loads of fun at Universal studios, and were enjoying some glorious weather and fun rides - I seem to remember the Jurassic park ride at this time.
Since being home we have settled back into a routine and the kids have forgotten about that exemplary behaviour.  The honeymoon is over, OVER, OVER!  They have mum home now who will cook, clean and pick up after them.  On the bright side it is lovely to have a busy household with lots of kids coming and going.  This week when I was really tired, I had changed into comfy PJ's and was just enjoying some quiet time, when there was a knock at the door and a friend from down the street arrived for a chat.  Embarrassing.  I don't normally do this and the one time that I did I get a visitor.  Richard was out at a meeting, and Abbey was in bed, Amelia at work, and Alex studying.  Never mind we had a lovely time PJ's and all.  This friend had been to Disneyland and Universal studios so we enjoyed sharing memories.
In the last week we have started talking about future dreams and have both decided that we have a four year plan.  In four years Alex will have finished high school, Amelia will be well through her studies at Uni, and Abbey will be turning 14.  It is then that we plan to have some time working and living in the US - or Canada,, or Australia.  In the next four years Richard will work on finishing his masters, I will sit the NClex exams - that enable me to work in the US, and we will build our capital.  It is a big decision but is also great to have some goals.  This trip has made us realise that no dream is impossible.
Sonja and Eric we are missing your family and would love to hear from you both if you have time.  Amy and Bob thanks for the lovely email.  To everyone else we are still sorting through email contacts and loading them on the computer.
My heart is not in my job anymore, and I have come to the conclusion that I need to refocus and look for other work options.  I am in need of a new challenge.  I think this was brewing before we went on this trip.  The problem is that the options are limited in Oamaru.  Our boss is coming for a visit next week, so I will discuss with her the possibility of finding a new challenge.
Socially we have had a lovely week.  It is always nice to meet new people and this week we have met a lovely couple Wendy and Allan and their kids Clayton and Brittany.  They live near to us, and Clayton is the same age as Alex, so he is enjoying a new friend.  I have always worried about Alex and his ability to make friends, so it is lovely to see him happy.  The boys have also included another boy their age Logan who also lives near here.  Wendy and Allan are from South Africa and are new to Oamaru.  Welcome to Oamaru Wendy and Allan.
This week on my travels for work I also met with a lady who runs a local music and movement group.  She also live on our street, so we got talking and decided that there is a need for a "Fernbrook Road" social gathering to promote a bit more of a caring community.  We are going to organise a bit if a Christmas gathering for the street.  This is to also take care of some or our more elderly citizens that live in this area.  I like the idea of a more inclusive community.  What better way to encourage this than by leading by example.
Also this week I have become aware of the need for a support group for people with arthritis that are younger.  I have been approached by three other newly diagnosed sufferers who were in need of someone to off load to and who understood just what they were going through.  My goal for next week is to make contact with the field officer for the area and ask for help to facilitate this kind of support.  Currently there is support for people, but it is mainly aimed at older clients.  What we need is a safe place to talk about issues that suffers face eg, working , being a parent and looking after yourself.  Also it is good to be able to share information about medications, specialists, and ways to manage daily life.
http://www.arthritis.org.nz/ this is a link to the NZ arthritis website
Anyway it is time that I went and hung the washing out and finished off the housework - the daily chores continue :)