Hi my name is Emma. I've finally updated this description after 6-7 years. I'm now 39....looking down the barrel at 40 and 'middle-age'. Who decides what is middle-age?! I ask you?! I only have one child at home now, Stephanie 13, who has just started secondary school. My life has changed in so many ways since I started this diary. And I'd like to think in so many good ways.

I'm not very creative with this front page and I probably never will be.

I'm currently finishing my third year of nursing at Uni after a long rocky road. I'm in a relationship with a man who won't marry me. Don't even go there. I have four cats (living with me) and a dog who lives with my parents due to housing constraints, but I'm sure she's happier there. My 15 year old son, Ric, lives with his father and my 19 year old, Justine has moved interstate and is starting Uni this year.

My second life is just starting. I miss my first life which included all of my children being with me, youth, time & familiarity. But my second life promises choices made from experience with potentially better outcomes, freedom , appreciation for that freedom, a greater capability to contribute and a certain sense of peace that comes from understanding that life isn't easy......but it can be delightful.